Title
Spirit of the Springs Award for Cris Barnhart
Presenter:
Mayor John Suthers
Body
Summary:
On Wednesday, July 24, 2019, Cris was volunteering with the adaptive water skiing program, when staff and volunteers on the shore heard loud, frightened cries that turned to screams of panic from the far side of the lake. Cris jumped to action immediately, and powered his jet ski to the opposite shore, jumping off to assist a small group that was frantically gathering amid hysterics.
Upon arrival, he and another member from the community pulled a small boy from the water and onto shore. The boy was unconscious and his face was blue from ingesting lake water. Cris calmly and expertly began performing CPR on the young boy, while other TRP volunteers helped control the panicking family members and increasing crowd. With each chest compression, Cris was able to pump lake water from the young boy’s body, and eventually brought him back into a frightened state of consciousness. The young boy’s families shared that he had a disability, and was not only startled from the experience, but from also being surrounded by strangers.
Cris performed CPR for nearly 10 minutes before emergency staff were able to arrive on the scene and take over care for the boy. Emergency staff commended him on his heroic actions for he truly saved the young boy’s life.
July 24, 2019 is a day that not many individuals at Prospect Lake will soon forget, however we are grateful to share that this story had a positive outcome. Moreover, appreciative to recognize someone who selflessly and bravely stepped up to act in the face of a dangerous situation for someone he had never met, Cris Barnhart.
Background:
NA
Previous Council Action:
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Financial Implications:
NA
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
NA
Stakeholder Process:
NA
Alternatives:
NA
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
NA
Summary of Ordinance Language
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