Celebrating Heroes: Errington Edwards was born to help others

Helping people in need has always been second nature for 58-year-old Errington Edwards of Content district in St James, but he does not brag about it; he simply describes his willingness to assist as a divine gift.

"What you could consider as heroic deeds, I may not see them as heroic; it is just part of me that I love to help people. God has been particularly good to me in so many ways, and I think He has given me this spirit of helping others, and I give Him thanks for it," Edwards told WESTERN STAR.

A tour-bus operator by profession, Edwards frequently has a cheerful expression. He wears many hats, including elder of the Chatham Seventh-day Adventist Church and president of the St James Lifestyle Educators group which teaches about healthy living.

But despite his busy schedule, Edwards assists others wherever needed, in spite of any risk to himself.

One such incident happened in 2005, when he stopped at the scene of a vehicular collision and took one of the victims to hospital.

"I was on my way to Montego Bay, and when I reached Greenwood I noticed that the traffic was going slowly, and then I noticed there was an accident. The victim needed to be transported to the hospital, but nobody was willing to take the person," Edwards recounted. "People were flagging me down frantically and asking, 'Could you take this person to the hospital?' I didn't hesitate, I took her right away, going at breakneck speed, and I was able to get her to the doctor."

Six years later, Edwards rescued a motorist whose car was being washed away by heavy floodwaters on the Paisley main road.

"I was coming home from Montego Bay, and when I reached Paisley, rain was falling heavily and I was stuck in the traffic. The water was so forceful that it started washing away the cars ahead of me," said Edwards. "Luckily for me, my vehicle was a big vehicle, so it was able to stand its ground until the rain stopped. But there was this young man whose car was being washed away. His car came close to my own, so I was able to get him out of his vehicle and put him in my own."

For Edwards, being unable to help needy people is not an option.

"It is just part of me. I love to help people, and I hate to see persons in need or distress and not be able to do anything about it," said Edwards.