Skyline students acknowledged for helping avert tragedy at Warren County-Skyline football game

Public Comments at the Wednesday, November 16th meeting of the Warren County Board of Supervisors opened with a recognition of two Skyline High School students, Parker McGann and Carson Richardson, by the County’s Fire & Rescue Department. Lieutenant Austin Cucciardo took to the podium to acknowledge an incident at the recent inter-county rivalry game, not on the field, but in the stands.

Lt. Austin Cucciardo, at podium, describes the lifesaving actions of Skyline High students Parker McGann and Carson Richardson, background with Board Chair Cullers, leading to their acknowledgment by the County Fire & Rescue Dpt. at the Nov. 16 board of supervisors meeting. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

“On November 4, 2022, while attending the Skyline versus Warren County Football game, Parker and Carson witnessed a female actively choking feet away from where they were standing. Without hesitation, Parker immediately rushed to her aid and began performing the lifesaving Heimlich Maneuver while Carson went to notify emergency medical services. With their combined actions they successfully dislodged the stuck food, clearing the patient’s obstructed airway. Thanks to Parker and Carson’s quick recognition and fast reactions, the victim avoided any serious complications and did not require any further medical treatment.

“When asked, Parker humbly attributed his actions to skills he learned at the CPR class he attended his freshman year at Skyline High School,” Lt. Cucciardo noted. He then observed that: “In 2016, the Commonwealth of Virginia adopted the Gwyneth’s Law, which requires all high school students at their freshman year to become certified in emergency first aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automatic External Defibrillators) as a requirement to graduate.”

Lt. Cucciardo noted that 39 states have adopted similar laws leading to higher statistics of bystander lifesaving actions. “Most people go their entire lives without ever being placed in a situation like this one, which you two faced that night. And if so, they typically don’t act like you two did,” Cucciardo said with a nod to McGann and Richardson listening to his right. The lieutenant then acknowledged that his boss, County Fire & Rescue Chief James Bonzano wished to acknowledge their actions of that November 4th evening on behalf of the entire department.

In foreground from left, F&R Chief James Bonzano, Parker McGann and Carson Richardson as supervisors join in standing ovation for the young lifesavers.

Accompanied by recently promoted Assistant Chief Gerry Maiatico, Chief Bonzano, along with County Board Chair Cheryl Cullers, presented to two young lifesavers with plaques of appreciation to a hearty round of applause from the public and county officials present, along with one “GOOD JOB” yelled from the crowd.

And might this reporter, once saved by some civilian-initiated CPR – thanks, Paula (and Melissa who made the 911 call) – while awaiting Company One’s timely arrival with the defibrillator (AED) during a cardiac arrest nearly a decade ago, echo that GOOD JOB, guys!!!

Well done.

Nice work guys – McGann and Richardson are welcomed back to their seats with plaques of appreciation for their quick reactions to a food-choking incident at the Nov. 4 Skyline-Warren County football game.

Royal Examiner will explore other, generally less heroic aspects of the meeting in a forthcoming story – or you can just watch the entire 1:42:38 video. Things got interesting, if somewhat more confrontationally so, elsewhere during the Public Comments opening the meeting when Shenandoah Farms residents, including current County-appointed Shenandoah Farms Advisory Committee Chair Sarah Saber, confronted the board about a perceived pattern of ignoring Farms resident-initiated management advice, particularly on road capital improvement project choices, related to relative costs and benefit.

Stay tuned, sports fans.