By EMS1 Staff
CORALVILLE, Iowa — A woman was awarded after saving her landlord’s life by performing CPR.
The Gazette reported that Ashley Neece was picking up sticks in the yard while her landlord, Valerie Pettit, mowed the lawn. Neece became concerned when the noise of the mower stopped.
“I went back there to check on her because I have to start the lawn mower for her because of her shoulder issues,” Neece said. “When I got around the corner, I saw she was down on the ground.”
Neece called 911 and started giving Pettit CPR. As a Coralville Parks Department employee, Neece had recently completed CPR training.
“It just stunned me at first. It was surreal,” she said. “It didn’t seem like it actually happened and it took quite a while to sink in. It’s just amazing to know that I was able to help someone and actually save their life.”
Police officers and an ambulance soon responded and transported Pettit to the hospital.
“I’m grateful to all four of them for saving my life,” Pettit said.
Neece and the police officers who responded were honored for their quick and lifesaving actions.
“Their quick actions were noteworthy and the fact that Ashley had just gotten trained in CPR was a good opportunity to recognize them but also to call attention to the importance of being trained in CPR,” Coralville Mayor John Lundell said. “It was a great example of how you never know when you’ll be put into an instance where you have to use those skills.”