Meteorologists usually don’t report breaking news, but when a dramatic scene played out right in front of Ian Cassette, he had to step up!
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Ian works for Fox 35 in Orlando, Florida. He was on board Spirit Airlines Flight 1691 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania back home to Orlando when there was a commotion a few rows ahead of him about 30 minutes into the flight. A young mother was calling out for help – her baby had stopped breathing.
The flight crew made an announcement asking for medical personnel to report to the front of the plane to help save 3-month-old Anjelé. Ian and the other passengers waited for several agonizing moments, hoping someone qualified could help.
Tamara Panzino has been a nurse for more than 20 years. She says she’s “not one to jump into drama” so she was really hoping there was another doctor or nurse on board. But when no one else stood up, she knew she had to do the right thing.
Tamara gave the baby oxygen and began to massage her chest and legs. After a few heart wrenching moments, Anjelé began to breathe again on her own.
“When you have to step forward and do what’s right, you do it,” Tamara later told Ian. “It was just a happy story, and it made me feel really good.”
The flight continued on to Orlando, and the baby’s father held her up so that all of the passengers could see that she was smiling and happy before they disembarked. The entire plane erupted into cheers as a way of applauding Tamara for her part in the happy outcome.
On my flight back from Pittsburgh to Orlando, a baby stopped breathing three rows ahead of me. Thankfully a nurse (Tamara Panzino) was able to get the baby to breathe again. (1) pic.twitter.com/6oDgFCG7FS
– Ian Cassette FOX 35 (@iancassette_wx) September 9, 2022
After they landed, Ian spoke with Anjelé’s parents, who were still shaken up by the incident.
“The parents of three month old Anjelé were terrified and had never experienced this before,” Ian wrote on Twitter. “They praised the positive energy of the plane and the heroic actions of Tamara for saving her.”
He also lauded the flight attendants for keeping their cool under such a stressful situation.
It warms our hearts to see a group of strangers come together during a medical emergency. We’re so grateful Tamara was on board and stepped up to help!
Share this story to thank Tamara for her life-saving actions.
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