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Naugatuck JROTC cadet credited for saving life of bus driver
Posted 10/4/2012 Updated 10/4/2012
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10/4/2012 - NAUGATUCK, Conn. -- An Air Force JROTC cadet from Connecticut was recognized recently for saving the life of his bus driver in early 2012.
Cadet Major Nathan Rivera was on the bus heading to classes at Naugatuck High School in March when the driver pulled over and started making desperate radio calls for help. The driver, Rose Pereira, was suffering an asthma attack and was trying to call her bus dispatch center.
Rivera heard her calls and headed to the front of the bus to see what was going on and to see if he could assist. The cadet is CPR trained and works for a local ambulance company.
"I could tell she wasn't breathing right," said Rivera in an interview with the local newspaper, the Naugatuck Citizen's News. "I wasn't expecting it."
Having opened the school bus door to allow more air in, Rivera manned the radio and tilted Pereira's head back to allow her to breathe easier. A fellow student came to Rivera's aid, taking over the radio communications while Rivera tended to the driver.
Rivera then kept her talking to keep her conscious while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Shortly thereafter, a police officer and an ambulance showed up and took her away to a local hospital.
The board of education and the bus company both recognized Rivera and his classmate, Nick Kosa, and awarded them each with a plaque honoring their heroism during a board meeting in May.
"I owe my life to them," said Pereira, in an interview with the Citizen's News at the ceremony.
"Rivera has been a role model in our unit for four years," said retired Lt. Col. Valerie Lofland, AFJROTC Unit CT-941's senior aerospace science instructor. "This is a fine example of how he emulates Air Force JROTC's core values of service before self and excellence in all we do. We are very proud of him!"
Article Courtesy of CT-941 Naugatuck High School JROTC |
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