(WXYZ) — A metro Detroit teen who lost his leg while helping a woman in a crash two years ago was the first recipient of a new Purdue University scholarship honoring a late student who died after fighting cancer.
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On Wednesday, Sean English, who is from Northville and attends Purdue as a freshman in exploratory students, was given the Tyler Trent Courage and Resilience Award.
The award is in honor of Tyler Trent, who was diagnosed with bone cancer at 15 and died at the age of 20. He founded Teens With a Cause, which recruits young people to perform service projects for families affected by cancer. He also earned an associate degree from Purdue and worked as a sports reporter at the student newspaper.
English, lost his right leg after his family came upon an overturned vehicle on I-96 back on April 2, 2017. English and his family, and another woman, got out to help in the crash. They were hit by another vehicle, and the other woman was killed. English lost his right foot and eventually his right leg.
English competed in track and field, but couldn't after losing his right leg, but he was able to get to Purdue despite the accident.
“I’m stunned and honored to receive an award that bears Tyler’s name,” English said in a press release. “Without this support and that of Purdue University over the past year, I would never have been able to achieve my dream of attending college, let alone an institution such as Purdue.”
“Tyler showed the character and resiliency to which we all should aspire,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “His message of hope and positivity resonated far beyond our campus; it truly touched the entire nation. His story is now a big part of the Purdue history, and this gate and scholarship will serve to preserve it forever.”
