14-year-old meets heroes after collapsing at school


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WEST JORDAN — Six weeks ago, Skyler Nelson, 14, collapsed on the gym floor at West Jordan Middle School.

It was a scary episode for everyone at the school. As it turned out, the right people were in the right places at the right time.

"That video (of me collapsing) was pretty scary to watch," Nelson said. "I remember eating a pop tart for breakfast and going to school and that's all I pretty much remember."

The school's vice principal, Eric Price, and the school resource officer started CPR. Just 10 days earlier, Price had stayed after school with 13 teachers to get certified in CPR.

"I felt very confident because it was going through my head … all of the things we had just talked about," Price said. "The more you hear it, more you remember what to do."

He was nervous, but that course mattered.

"It made a huge difference," Price said.

The paramedics agree.

"It was the life-saving event. CPR truly works," said Royce Parsons, a West Jordan paramedic.

When the paramedics arrived Nelson's heart had a rhythm again and he was breathing. They raced him to Primary Children's Hospital where doctors discovered a heart defect.

Nelson met with his rescuers at a West Jordan fire station.

"They're my heroes. I'm just glad it happened the way it did so that I'm here right now talking to you guys. Very thankful," Nelson said.

"Every time I see him in the hallway, it's just like, 'I can't believe you're here, man,'" Price said.

For the paramedics, who deal with a lot of tragedy, this happy ending stirs deep emotion.

"It's really nice to see him alive, and happy, and talking to us. It's awesome," Parsons said.

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