Prior EMT knowledge put to use -- McConnell KC-135 pilot helps stabilize young girl after accident

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristine Dreyer
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  A 349th Air Refueling Squadron instructor pilot medically assisted a young girl after she was hit by a car, potentially saving her life. 

As Capt. Kevin Thomas drove home the evening of July 28, he saw a car stopped in the westbound lane of Pawnee between Rock Road and Webb Road. When he came closer to the stopped car, he realized there was a person lying on the ground, not moving.
He immediately switched lanes, made a U-turn to park his car and got out to assist. 

"On the sidewalk, I saw a young girl, who was about six to nine years old, and she was unconscious," said Captain Thomas. 

Not many people would know what to do in a situation like this, but Captain Thomas knew exactly what to do. 

Before joining the Air Force, Captain Thomas worked as an Emergency Medical Technician at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. 

"As I approached, no one appeared to be in charge," said Captain Thomas. "So, I announced myself as a former EMT and asked if I could provide help."
After no objections, Captain Thomas moved into action and used his prior EMT knowledge to assess the young victim while the driver reported the condition of the girl to 911. 

"My first concern was her airway, breathing and circulation," said Captain Thomas.
After confirming the victim was breathing and had a viable airway, Captain Thomas 
began the next step with a C-Spine immobilization. 

"I basically held the cervical spine still to prevent neck injury," said Captain Thomas. "After you assess the victim, that is the first thing you want to do." 

After a few minutes, a crowd began to form, and neighbors were coming out to see what was happening. 

"A bystander told me the young girl's name, and I told him to go get her mom," said Captain Thomas. 

Captain Thomas asked if anyone saw what had happened. 

"A couple of boys said she had chased a loose ball into the street," said Captain Thomas. 

Captain Thomas then instructed someone to get a sheet of paper and write down vital signs as he dictated them. 

Shortly after, the mother and another relative of the girl came out of the house. Captain Thomas worked to keep everyone calm and instructed the relatives to softly talk to the young girl. 

"I wanted the young girl to see a familiar face when she woke up, to help her remain calm," he said. 

The familiar voices calling her name brought the young girl back from unconsciousness.
"As she woke up, I calmly explained who I was, and that I was trying to help her," said Captain Thomas. "She was waking slowly and was starting to get more afraid as time went on." 

To avoid aggravating any existing injuries, Captain Thomas instructed two men to gently hold the young girl's arms and legs in place. 

Minutes after the girl awoke, two fire trucks arrived on the scene. As the emergency crews assessed the situation, Captain Thomas gave them a brief overview of his actions. 

After Captain Thomas surrendered C-Spine immobilization to the emergency crews, the ambulance arrived and took the young girl to the emergency room. 

"The entire incident, from the time I arrived until the ambulance took her away, was probably ten minutes," said Captain Thomas. 

Captain Thomas' actions that day did not surprise his superiors. 

"Captain Thomas is an outstanding individual, and this further iterates my opinion of him," said Lt. Col. Joe Tegtmeyer, 349th ARS acting commander. "By using his prior medical experience, he was able to take charge of the situation and stabilize the girl until the ambulance arrived. It is a testament of his character that he would stop to assist in an accident like this." 

Editor's Note: At press time, the victim's condition was unknown.