Roanoke firefighter named Red Cross hero after inflight CPR

Roanoke City student named Red Cross hero for saving teacher's life (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - As part of our annual Red Cross Celebration of Heroes we introduce you to a Roanoke paramedic who won't let city limits stop her from helping.

Firefighter and EMS Kelly Waskewicz has fond memories of her summer vacation to San Diego to visit her brother.

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However, it was the flight home that is most unforgettable.

Midflight, an attendant made an announcement asking for medical personnel to come forward.

"Without hesitation I just reached up and rang the buzzer," Kelly explained.

"I knew what I had to do, so I basically started a line on him, pushed medication and I knew that high quality CPR was the best thing for this man."

She worked the cardiac arrest by performing CPR until the pilot could make an emergency landing in Chicago.

While she'll likely never know the outcome for that man, answering the call for help makes her a Red Cross hero regardless.


About the Author:

After working and going to school in Central Virginia for over five years, Lindsey’s made her way back home to the mountains.