Florida teens speak out after helping man experiencing a heart attack
A group of Florida teenagers are speaking out after assisting a man who was experiencing a heart attack on the side of the road last month.
The three Cooper City High School students spoke with "Good Morning America" in a segment airing Thursday, saying good fortune put them in a position to help the man.
"I think it was very lucky. It's just right place, right time. Maybe God put us there to help this guy out," Brody Murray, 17, said of the incident, which took place Sunday, April 19, according to local authorities.
Brody said they first encountered the man, Diego Fernandez-Delgado, on the side of the road trying to fix his tire.
Logan Royer, 16, said the man notified him he was having a hard time breathing. The Broward County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Tuesday that it was later determined the man was having a heart attack.
The teens quickly called 911 for assistance.
In 911 audio released by the sheriff's office this week, Logan is heard saying, "There's an old guy on the side of the road. We're helping change his tire, and he does not feel good at all."
Deputies from the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to the scene, transporting the man to the hospital, where he underwent "several procedures," according to the sheriff's office.
Police body camera footage of the incident shows an officer later thanking the teens for their help before they drive away in a truck.
"Hey, thanks again, guys. You guys are awesome, man. Appreciate it," the officer says in the footage, giving one of the teens a fist-bump and thumbs up.
The sheriff's office said in its statement this week that the teens' quick thinking likely saved Fernandez-Delgado's life.
"These students chose to extend a helping hand in kindness. Their awareness and compassion reflect a level of character well beyond their years," the sheriff's office said.
Fernandez-Delgado's son Cristian Fernandez also shared gratitude for the teens' assistance, saying in a statement provided by the sheriff's office that his father had prayed for help after he began experiencing chest pains while trying to fix his tire.
"God didn't send angels with wings, he sent those boys," Fernandez said.
Sixteen-year-old Cody Magrone, one of the teens who provided assistance to Fernandez-Delgado, told "GMA" this week, "It doesn't cost anything to be a good person, and you never know where it could lead to."
The boys were honored by Cooper City at a special recognition event on Tuesday, where they were presented with a proclamation for their actions.
"While their decision to call 911 was pivotal, what sets this story apart is what led up to that moment," the sheriff's office said in its statement this week.
It added, "Their actions serve as a powerful reminder: sometimes, the difference between life and death starts with simply choosing to step in and help."
