Saskatoon teacher awarded medal for heroism after helping student who was set on fire

Sean Hayes is pictured. (Source: Carnegie Hero Fund)

The teacher who sprang into action after a 15-year-old student was set on fire by another student at Evan Hardy Collegiate has been awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.

Sean Hayes was in the school’s hallway in September 2024, when the victim was approached by another student — a 14-year-old girl who doused her in a bottle of gasoline, and then set her ablaze with a lighter.

The 33-year-old teacher immediately had a co-worker call 911, and then attempted to roll the girl around in an effort to combat the flames.

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The fire also jumped to Hayes’ clothing in the process, which prompted the teacher to press himself against a set of lockers to snuff out the flames.

Hayes then removed his overshirt and the shirt of a colleague to smother the flames.

A school resource officer joined in efforts to help the girl, while Hayes worked to put out additional fires caused by puddles of gasoline.

The girl was taken to hospital with burns to 40 per cent of her body. Hayes suffered burns to his face, neck, side and hand. Both Hayes and the student have recovered since the attack.

The Carnegie Hero Fund recognizes individuals who have risked serious injury or death attempting to save others.

The 18 recipients, four of whom died while taking part in the acts that earned them the award, are chosen from across Canada and the United States.

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