Local man’s life-saving in-flight act

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Athlone native James McCormack has been rewarded for a Good Samaritan act which helped save a life on a recent trip to the US.

James, an Advanced Paramedic with Athlone Ambulance Station, responded to a serious in-flight emergency aboard an American Airlines flight in September.

He was travelling on a flight from San Francisco to Miami as part of a longer trip within the US, when a man aged in his 60s started to show signs of potential cardiac arrest or stroke.

"He was grey in the face, cold, and clammy, which are all the signs of a heart attack, or maybe a stroke. He effectively collapsed on to the ground, at which point I stood to lift his head, and check that he was still breathing," James said.

The man has fallen unconscious, however he still had a pulse. "Panic ensued, and cabin crew were calling for a doctor on-board or a first responder," he added.

James has over ten years of experience with the National Ambulance Service having joined in 2015, and has served on a voluntary basis with the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps since 2010.

The Garrycastle man identified himself as an Advanced Paramedic and was joined by a doctor, and the pair began to work on the man with the limited medical kit available on-board.

"We were able to check his blood pressure, his oxygen levels, and heart rate, but we didn't have an ECG machine, which is probably the most important thing in the case of a heart attack. Thankfully, we never got to the stage of losing his pulse, but we would have performed CPR if we needed to.

"He started to come around, and we were able to obtain his medical history. Himself and his wife were very scared, he didn't know what was happening. We managed to get him safely to landing, which we weren't sure we would, and he was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital."

American Airlines expressed their gratitude for his assistance, rewarding him with 25,000 Advantage points to James's account.

“We are all grateful that you were on board and freely offered your medical expertise when it was needed most. James, without a doubt, you greatly improved a difficult situation.

“We realise your offer of assistance was not motivated by any potential reward. Nevertheless, we wanted you to know how much your efforts were appreciated, and that we look forward to serving you again soon. James, we appreciate you being an Advantage member. It will be our privilege to welcome you onboard American when your plans call for travel by air.”

Darren Mulleady, paramedic at Athlone Ambulance Station and James's co-worker, said: "If you were sick or injured, you'd be delighted to see James coming out to you in the ambulance."

James was also shown further appreciation closer to home by Mount Temple's Geraldine Parker, who donated a AED to him on behalf of the Tony Parker Memorial Fund.

"Geraldine is very helpful in supplying AEDs and defibrillators to parts of Athlone and surrounding areas. Her son Tony unfortunately passed away from sudden cardiac arrest at a young age, and the family set up the Tony Parker Memorial Fund in his memory," James said.

"Of course, I work in Athlone Ambulance Station in Blyry, but I would also respond to emergencies in my own time if I get the call. Now I will have this piece of equipment, which I hope I'll never have to use, but it's there in case of an emergency when I need it thanks to Geraldine."