Teenager honored for saving insensitive colleague

A Bay City, Michigan teenager was recognized on Thursday for acting quickly when someone was in desperate need of help.

Officials paid tribute to 19-year-old Lillian Flanders, who credits her high school CPR training with helping her know exactly what to do on Dec. 27 at the Doubletree Hotel, according to WNEM.

The moment she found her colleague, Rusty Publow, slumped over her desk and realized he was unresponsive, she took action to save his life.

She moved him to the floor and then began performing CPR, which kept the man stable until emergency crews arrived to take over the process.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is described as a “lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest,” reads the American Heart Association website.

The intervention is important because “Keeping blood flow active – even partially – increases the chances of successful resuscitation once trained medical personnel arrive on the scene,” the association continued.

In a social media post on Thursday, the Bay County CrimeStoppers praised the young woman, writing, “Great job Lillian Flanders!! You are a hero!”

The young rescuer said it had been a few years since she had taken the training course but was relieved it came back to her when she saw the man in need, adding: “J I got that.”

A photo shows the young woman standing next to her colleague as their loved ones gather around them:

Shawn McAteer, senior vice president and global head of Doubletree by Hilton, said what everyone thought of his actions.

“We are in awe of you, we are in awe of what you have done. We are grateful for your act and I’m sure Rusty is really grateful, ”he commented.

The young woman received awards, a key to the city and gifts in recognition of her efforts.

“I owe my life to Lillian. If it wasn’t for her and her quick reaction, and her simple intervention…she saved my life,” Publow noted.

Social media users also expressed their delight at the result, with one person writing: “What a wonderful sight! So, happy to see Rusty healthy again!