Royal Cothrun, 14, was riding his bicycle in June in Gilbert, Arizona when he found 76-year-old Theresa Morgan wandering and sweating in 103F heat after becoming disoriented following a dementia diagnosis. Cothrun slowed, spoke with Morgan, footage from his smart glasses captured their conversation, escorted her to shade, helped her recall her son’s phone number and then called Jeff Morgan. Cothrun stayed with Theresa until Jeff and Gilbert fire and rescue arrived and took her to safety. Gilbert fire and rescue said sudden disorientation can signal impending heatstroke and praised Cothrun’s “heroism … quick thinking and compassion.” Battalion chief Ryan McHugh said the department will honor Royal at an 11 August town council meeting. The episode occurred during a climate-driven heatwave that officials say contributed to at least two dozen deaths nationwide in June and early July.
