LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Strangers brought a Las Vegas runner back to life after he had a heart attack on a Northwest Valley Trailhead.
Runner, Phil Young, was able to track those strangers down using a sign posted on the trail.
Turns out, two of them were Air Force Men stationed at Creech Air Force Base. They happened to be at Lone Mountain Trail for a morale boosting hike with their Flight on that day in mid-March.
“I’m just grateful, grateful for everything I have, and I see life in a totally different perspective now,” Young said.
Captain Ethan Compton and Major Brian Knowles of the U.S. Air Force 432nd Wing have more than a uniform in common. They both joined the Air Force to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
“My grandfathers both served back in World War 2 and I wanted to carry on that legacy for my family,” Knowles said.
“I wanted to make a change to the world and make a positive impact,” Compton said.
Compton and Knowles both arrived early for their team-building hike.
Compton came out of the restroom and found Young collapsed on the ground.
“As I pulled him over to take a look at his face, he was unresponsive with his mouth open, eyes glazed over,” Compton said. “I could start to feel the adrenaline kick in.”
He called 911 and started CPR. He said he had just re-upped his CPR training weeks before.
“I was trying to follow the rhythm and actually give him the full like 3-inch, 4-inch compressions,” Compton said. “My vision went down to like a straw tunnel vision.”
Compton and Knowles switched off. Together, they estimated they provided about 10 minutes of CPR before first responders arrived and loaded Young into an ambulance.
The two said they accepted they might never know if Young survived, and the following days were agonizing.
“I was thinking about it most nights, ‘man, I really wonder if he actually lived and survived,’ and just that image of his face has burned in my brain,” Compton said.”
That changed when a friend sent them a picture of a sign with a photo of Young and a message, asking to meet the “angels” who saved him.
“It was a very euphoric feeling for sure,” Knowles says.
Young’s wish was granted. The three reunited and now say they are lifelong friends.
“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Somebody along the way raised you guys and taught you very well, and you should be thankful for your parents and thankful for your teachers,” Young said to Compton and Knowles.
Young said he is honored to sit between the two men who kept his heart beating and allowed him to take another breath.
“I just can’t explain how much gratitude I have for what they did for me,” Young said.
Young is still recovering, but is hoping to run in the New York City Marathon in November. Compton and Knowles said they’re hoping to be there to cheer him on.
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