16 March 2023 , 21:19
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A star student has issued a grovelling apology after he was caught throwing a disabled woman's wheelchair down a flight of stairs in a nightclub.
Carson Briere, who plays for the Mercyhurst University men's ice hockey team in Pennsylvania, US, was captured on CCTV launching an unoccupied wheelchair at Sullivan's Pub and Eatery in Erie last weekend.
The video shows the hockey player and his two friends at the top of the steps when Carson then decides to sit in the chair. He then gets out and pushes the wheelchair down the steps.
Nightclub staff had taken the woman downstairs to use a staff toilet, according to Nate Sanders, the head of security at Sullivan's.
Mr Sanders said the woman had to be carried up the stairs by security and placed in the wheelchair.
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Carson is seen sitting in the wheelchair with his friends (Twitter)The student and his friends were kicked out of the nightclub by security after they watched his actions on CCTV.
Mr Sanders told NBC: "Nobody was sought out to make an example. It wouldn't of mattered if it was Danny Briere's kid or some random person off the street. The feelings would've been the same. It's a deplorable thing for someone to do."
Carson has since issued a grovelling apology and called it a "serious lack of judgement."
He said in a statement: "I am deeply sorry for my behaviour on Saturday. There is no excuse for my actions, and I will do whatever I can to make up for this serious lack of judgment."
Carson Briere is seen pushing a woman's wheelchair down a flight of stairs (Twitter)Mr Sanders said the damage to the wheelchair has "messed up bearings in the wheels", cracked the armrests and caused an issue with one of the brakes.
He has since launched a GoFundMe page to help buy the woman a new wheelchair which has left her "overwhelmed."
Mercyhurst University said the video of their student launching the wheelchair down stairs made "our hearts heavy."
It said: "Mercyhurst University has heard a considerable outcry regarding the social media video of student Carson Briere showing him pushing an unoccupied wheelchair down a flight of stairs.
"Mr. Briere today issued a statement taking responsibility for his actions, and in doing so, he recognised his behaviours reflects a "serious lack of judgment" and that he is "deeply sorry."
He then walks away with his friends after pushing the wheelchair (Twitter)"The actions displayed in the video make our hearts heavy and fall short of our Mercy belief in the inherent dignity of each person.
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"We pray for and are in solidarity with the victim and all persons with disabilities who rightfully find actions like this to be deeply offensive.
"Our Mercy tradition also reminds us that students and all people who make poor choices deserve opportunities to learn, change behaviours, and atone for harmful actions."
Carson's dad Danny Briere, a former NHL hockey player, revealed he was "shocked" to see the video.
He said: "I was shocked to see Carson's actions in the video that was shared on social media yesterday.
"They are inexcusable and run completely counter to our family's values on treating people with respect. Carson is very sorry and accepts full responsibility for his behaviour."