Old Boy a Good Samaritan to former teacher

Alumni NEWS

Old Boy a Good Samaritan to former coach and teacher

Tom Nicoll (far left) and Prasun Lala (far right) at the Reunion shortly before Tom’s accident.

By Tom Nicoll, retired SHS teacher

Afunny thing happened on my way home from the Old Boys’ Reunion dinner at Selwyn House on September 30, 2011. I got hit by a car.

I was crossing Sherbrooke Street at the corner of Clarke. As I waited for the light to change, I was reflecting on the good time I had had getting together with former colleagues and reminiscing with former students and athletes I had either coached or taught but hadn’t seen in years. I was musing that maybe I had had a positive influence during my 31-year career at Selwyn House.

Because I’ve had a knee replacement, I am very cautious when crossing streets. As I made my way through the intersection, out of the corner of my eye I saw a car approaching that didn’t appear to be stopping. I turned to face the car and out of reflex put my hands out to stop it. No contest. At the last second, he slammed on his brakes but the momentum of the car continued right into me, sending me flying. My left leg and knee took the brunt of the impact.

I didn’t feel the pain at first but I knew that I was hurt and stunned, to say the least. The first witness on the scene was a doctor. She asked me questions and told me what to do. Suddenly, the street seemed to be swarming with people, police cars and fire trucks. From my prone position, I felt like a lab specimen. I do remember telling no one in particular that someone needed to call my wife.

Out of nowhere, I heard a voice. “Mr. Nicoll, it’s Prasun, and I’ll call your wife.” Wow. It’s amazing how comforting a familiar voice can be.

The medics flipped me around a few times and then I was in the ambulance en route to the hospital. Sitting beside me was Prasun Lala from the class of ’86, who had left the reunion the same time as I had.

Whenever I attend Selwyn House events, I’m always impressed at the important and interesting careers so many of our alumni are living. During my teaching career, I had taught enough bright students to know that most would succeed, probably, beyond our expectations. I knew we were graduating good students; what I wanted to believe is that we were also graduating future good citizens. If Prasun Lala is an example, we have done a remarkable job.

I both taught and coached Prasun. I remember him being a bright, ebullient boy who was always smiling. That hasn’t changed.

My wife later told me that he was reassuring on the phone and that he helped to assuage her fears of really serious injuries.

Not only did Prasun ride with me to the hospital, he stayed and waited for my wife to arrive. I encouraged him to leave and to go downtown to join his buddies. It was their 25th anniversary and they were congregating on Crescent Street. Instead, he stuck around for about two hours, regaling Ruth and me with stories about his time at Selwyn and his present endeavours. Prasun went way beyond the call of duty to help his “old” curmudgeonly teacher and coach.

We never know when our lives will take a hit. Hopefully, you’ll have someone like Prasun Lala around.

Thanks, Prasun.

Tom Nicoll ■