BALLSTON SPA — Two police officers and two civilians were recognized by Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo on Aug. 3 for their life-saving actions regarding a motorcyclist whose lower leg was severed in a motor vehicle crash on US Route 9 in the town of Wilton on July 29.
Sgt. Ryan Mahan of the Sheriff’s Office and Trooper Taylor Salaway of the New York State Police were awarded the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office’s Life Saving award. Sgt. Mahan applied a tourniquet to the motorcyclist’s leg when he arrived on scene. Mahan and Trooper Salaway applied a second tourniquet after the first did not stop the bleeding. Both were hailed for performing an act in the line of duty which, through prompt or alert action resulted in saving a life.
Christopher and Jill Rafferty of Moreau were awarded the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office’s Samaritan award. Both were passers-by after the collision and stopped to render aid to the motorcyclist prior to police arrival. Rafferty applied a bandana as a tourniquet to the motorcyclist’s leg and both he and his wife remained with him providing comfort and assisting police until EMS took over.