Deputies honored at Michigan high school for saving teen’s life

Deputies honored at Michigan high school for saving teen’s life

Deputies who helped save the life of a 16-year-old who collapsed on a tennis court were honored during Tuesday night’s South Christian basketball game.

It happened at the high school tennis courts on Oct. 18 during a MHSAA Division 1 State Tennis Finals meet. After the teen collapsed, an off-duty paramedic and doctor performed CPR and rescue breaths until deputies arrived. That’s when Kent County deputies Eric Winsor and Jeff Whelan showed up. Whelan did CPR and Windsor used an AED to deliver a shock to the 16-year-old. He began breathing again shortly after.

During Tuesday night’s basketball game, the South Christian community thanked the two. Winsor said he was glad everything worked out that day.

“I was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time and we have great new AEDs for the department. And being able to have that equipment and make a life-saving save with it was just a really good day,” Winsor said.

The family of the teenager said they are grateful to the deputies and everyone else who helped save his life.

Now, South Christian High School is working toward a MI HEARTSafe School Award, according to a spokesperson with Project ADAM, which works to help schools become Heart Safe.