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Airman aids injured teen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Holochwost
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Even though Staff Sgt. Elliott Velez, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron war readiness journeyman, isn't in the medical career field, he helped save the life of a 16-year-old autistic boy in Surprise, Ariz., April 8.

"I was on my way home from work and I saw a boy laying face down on the road motionless," Sergeant Velez said. "He was hit by a truck while crossing the street on his bicycle. I saw three people standing around him not doing anything, and I knew I had to help."

Self-aid buddy care was the only medical training Sergeant Velez said he received.

"I have deployed twice and both times I received the extensive version of the self-aid buddy care training," he said. "That training, along with studying for my technical sergeant test, helped me greatly during this emergency. Even though I never had to use the training before, everything clicked, and I knew what to do."

Sergeant Velez said he first assessed the situation.

"I got out of my vehicle and ran to see if he was still alive," he said. "He was unconscious, bleeding from the head and having a really tough time breathing. I instructed the bystanders to help me remove the bike from underneath him and carefully lay him on his back."

Thankfully, an off-duty paramedic approached us with a bag of medical supplies, Sergeant Velez said.

"I briefed him about what happened and he gave me a pair of medical gloves and told me to assist him by whatever means necessary," Sergeant Velez said. "We put an oxygen bottle over his head and took his vitals. Then, the paramedic called in a helicopter so the boy would have a better chance of survival."

Sergeant Velez found a cell phone in the boy's pocket and called his mother.

"It was the hardest phone call I ever had to make," he said. "Finding the words to keep her calm and at the same time letting her know the seriousness of the situation was very difficult."

Then, the helicopter arrived at the scene, Sergeant Velez said.

"I assisted the paramedics with putting a neck brace on the boy and securing him on a stretcher," he said.

The boy spent four to five days in the hospital and was released.

Sergeant Velez said everyone is very proud of him including his supervisors, peers and the injured boy's family.

"Sergeant Velez is the epitome of an NCO we should all aspire to," said Master Sgt. John Acosta, 56th CMS Aircraft Fuel Systems superintendent. "We are proud to have him as one of our leaders in the section. He steps up for every task given to him. So, it doesn't surprise me he stepped up to help this child."

Master Sgt. Mark Washington, 56th CMS section chief, agrees.

"He is just that type of person," he said. "He is always willing to help anyone, anywhere, at any given time. I'm very lucky to have him working for me."

The boy's family is incredibly thankful for his assistance, according to Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Cassidy, Nellis AFB, Nev., who is related to the injured boy.

"Sergeant Velez is a miracle helper," Airman Cassidy said. "I am so thankful he stopped to help my cousin. I can't imagine what could have happened if he hadn't."