Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 10-14-21 E-edition

Thursday, October 14, 2021
Local first responders and citizens honored
The View From Here
I couldn’t
help it. I felt
my eyes tear
up and want
to cry. What
was worse,
it was in
a public
place. Lis-
tening to
Margaret
Mims give a detailed ac- count of the day that 8-year- old, Aiden Martin almost died was enough to make anyone cry.
I didn’t feel so bad when I noticed one of the kayak- ers who was up on stage with the sheriff also tear- ing up.
I can’t imagine what it was like for those kayak- ers and even worse, for the family of Aiden who was with him at the time of the accident. Full story on A5.
“About 10 minutes after the call came out, our Eagle 1 helicopter crew was the first to arrive in the area,” said Mims during the cere- mony. “They spotted family members on a small island in the middle of the river and landed there.”
Aiden was unresponsive CPR was being adminis- tered by the kayakers until first responders arrived.
“After being underwa- ter for several minutes, the boy was released and he floated downstream. His dad grabbed him and pulled him out of the river and onto an island,” said Mims.
“His girlfriend began CPR on Aiden. At this same time, a group of five friends kayaking down the river saw what was happen- ing and stopped to help.”
Mims said that a by- stander, Clarissa Carillo used her phone to call 911, while the rest of the group took turns with cycles of CPR.
This group of people saved Aiden’s life that day. Listening to the story re- stored my faith in human- ity. A group of strangers came together to not only attempt to save the life of a young boy, but actually suc- ceeded in saving the life of a young boy.
I kept thinking, these people will forever have a bond. And again thought how life can change in an instant.
The family of Aiden and the friends he was with that day thought that would be a regular day having fun on the river. Little did they know it would change many lives forever.
Two years later however it would be something that is still talked about and re- membered to this day.
Aiden is now 10 years old and Mims said his life is back to normal and he en- joys playing sports.
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
It was two years ago, on Sept. 15, 2019, that 8-year- old, Aiden Martin almost lost his life while on a floating trip on the King’s River with a group of family and friends.
Aiden along with the first responders and citizens who helped him on that day, were all recognized during this year’s Fresno and Madera County Police Chiefs Associa- tion ceremony.
“On that day Fresno Coun- ty dispatchers took a 911 call for a report of an 8-yar-old boy drowning in the King’s River,” said Margaret Mims, Fresno County Sheriff. “Pa- trol deputies, members of the boating unit, and air support were dispatched to the call near the intersection of Lin- coln and Lac Jac Avenues.”
According to information from the department, as the group floated down the river, they approached a fork in the river where the rafts they were riding on popped.
The ropes holding the rafts together became entan- gled around Aiden and pulled him underneath the water.
Several kayakers who were on the river at the time
Juanita Adame
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims posed for a photo with the group of kayakers who helped save Aiden Martin (pictured in the center wearing red and black) who almost drowned on the Kings River on Sept. 15, 2019. Also photographed is Sequoia Safety Coun- cil's paramedic Zack Spierling. Not pictured is Stuart Nickels who also worked for Sequoia Safety at the time of the accident. The ceremony is held each year to recognize citizens for their courageous acts. The ceremony was held on Sept. 29.
Photo Courtesy / Fairmont 4H Facebook Page
First responders from several agenicies including the Fresno County Sheriff's Office and Sequoia Safety Council huddled around Aiden to continue life saving treatments on scene.
Local dignitaries celebrate opening of new Sanger High campus
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
G. Brandon Vang, SUSD trustee for Area 3 was among the speak- ers during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sanger High West campus on the morning of Oct. 12.
Local fruit on display now at the Big Fresno Fair
“Doctors attribute the fast response and use of CPR from everyone as the reasons Aiden's life was saved."
Margaret Mims Fresno County Sheriff
of the accident stopped to help Aiden and the other chil- dren. CPR was performed on Aiden until first responders arrived.
Aiden was transported to Valley Children’s Hospital and made a full recovery.
Just eleven days after nearly drowning, Aiden was cleared to go home,” said Mims. “Doctors attribute the fast response and use of CPR from everyone as the reasons Aiden's life was saved.”
More than 10 agencies including the Sanger and Reedley Police Departments recognized citizens in their communities as well.
Photo of the week
This photo of Talissa and Zuleana who tried on some firefight- ing turnouts during their visit to the Reedley Museum was sent in by Rosa Hilda Flores. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midvalleypublishing.com.
Contributed
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Agriculture exhibits from various cities around Fresno County including Parlier, and Reedley are all currently on display at the Fresno Fair through Sunday, Oct. 17.
Rows of Sanger grapes are on display now through Oct. 17 at the Fresno Fair.