Although there’s a long journey ahead, hope is blooming for the recovery of an Edson resident who is in critical condition following a fire at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright that killed four soldiers.
Sean Hiatt, 24, is a corporal in the Canadian Forces reserves. He was one of more than 80 members of the Forces on the training ground on Oct. 17 when a fast-moving fire killed four soldiers and injured 39 more, at least 19 of whom ended up in critical condition.
Hiatt is also a member of the same unit as Sgt. Morgan Wong, one of the men who tragically died in the fire.
Hiatt is being treated at the University of Alberta Hospital; he arrived with burns covering roughly 50 per cent of his body, including his legs, arms, hands and face.
Sean’s older sister Teresa Hiatt, one of his 11 siblings, said their family witnessed some encouraging changes in his condition on Oct. 20.
“He’s been opening his eyes and responding to familiar voices. He squeezed my mom’s hand and then held my brother’s hand while they prayed with him,” she shared. “He’s still facing a long road ahead, with surgery expected soon to remove damaged skin from his burns.”
After that first surgery, Teresa said recovery will be a marathon, not a sprint.
She explained, “After every surgery, it’s going to go downhill a little bit; the doctors warned us he will look sicker. He then has to recover for the next surgery, so it’s going to be an emotional roller coaster. And after each surgery, of course, there’s a risk for infection and everything, so they’ll be monitoring that.”
Family has been travelling back and forth to Edmonton to support his recovery, and will continue to do so along his journey. For Teresa, who owns the Wayfarer Café and Bakery in Yellowhead County, it’s been hard to come home and operate as normal.
“I came back home on Monday evening, just trying to do a few things around the house, but it just feels wrong to be here, if that makes sense,” she said.
Sean is also much more than a soldier: “He has a big heart. He has a very outgoing personality; he loves people, he loves his family. He would do anything for you; he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” his sister praised.
Teresa shared an example of Sean’s altruism, explaining that he once dropped everything to bring milk to the café — from Edson — while it was operating at the Peers Gold Dust Daze. “He won’t say no to you if you ask him anything,” she added. “He’s such a giver and he’s always — he has such a big smile. You can’t help but falling in love with him when you meet him.”
In addition to his work with the military, Sean also works as a rail track supervisor for CN Rail. In his spare time, Teresa said he enjoys playing video games with her husband, whom he is very close with, working on his vehicle, spending time with family and enjoying a good meal.
“He loves anything and just living life to the fullest,” she said.
Although the situation has been “horrific” and “her heart goes out” to the many others affected by the tragedy, Teresa shared that the community support her family has received has “meant the world” to her.
While prayers and messages of support are greatly appreciated, she is also seeking support through a GoFundMe campaign. Funds raised will be used to cover Sean’s bills while he recovers, as well as travel and meal costs for visiting family supporting him along the way.
“Sean is a local Edsonite. Just supporting him in this and hopefully when he returns home — to have that love and support from the community going forward will mean the world to him.”
On Monday, Oct. 19, the Town of Edson lowered its flags to half-mast to honour those members who lost their lives and were injured in the fire. They will remain that way for seven days.
“The news from CFB Wainwright is devastating. We share in the immense grief of the Canadian Armed Forces and the community of Wainwright,” said Edson Mayor Kevin Zahara. “The individuals that serve to protect our country make sacrifices each and every day. Nobody expects lives to be lost while conducting training exercises on home soil. Our hearts break for you during this difficult time. On behalf of Edson town council and all Edsonites, we offer our sincerest condolences to the families of the victims, and hope for full recoveries of those that are injured.”
Elsewhere, churches in Wainwright have organized a vigil tonight, Oct. 21, to honour the four soldiers killed in the fire and the 33 still in the hospital. A pile of flowers is also growing at the Wainwright cenotaph.
With files from the Canadian Press.
Canadian Armed Forces Cpl. Sean Hiatt. (Supplied)
