South Congaree, SC (Paul Kirby) – A group of Lexington County first responders took some time to recognize the life-saving efforts of two Lake Frances neighborhood residents last week. The small presentation was held near the bank of Lake Frances where the quick action of the two heroes working together saved a woman’s life.
On May 22, first responders were called to the Lake Frances subdivision near South Congaree after neighbors reported a woman who was walking with some of her grandchildren in a stroller had accidentally fallen into the lake. A Good Samaritan, James Perry, sprinted toward where he could already see and hear a commotion. What he found was a horrifying sight!
Kim Eichelberger, who happens to be a registered nurse had seen a woman in the water of the lake as well as a baby stroller. They were close to the shore. Perry saw Eichelberger in the water searching for any children. While doing so, she had yelled to her son and instructed him to call 911.
Perry also jumped into the water, took hold of the woman, and pulled her to the shore. Meanwhile, Eichelberger got her hands on the stroller and pulled it out of the water. The children were still strapped inside but they appeared to be safe. She jumped back into the water to assist Perry in getting the woman to the bank. When the two got her to the shore, she wasn’t breathing! Eichelberger immediately began performing CPR until the woman regained consciousness.
First responders from Lexington County EMS and the South Congaree Fire Station arrived and they took over the care of the woman from the two heroes. Those first responders were able to quickly load the woman in an ambulance and transport both her and her grandchildren to a nearby medical facility. Both she and her grandchildren recovered.
Both Perry and Eichelberger were given Citizen Life-Saver Awards and challenge coins for their actions that day. These two good Samaritans are a wonderful example of citizens who aren't afraid to get involved when they were needed.
