Three Florida teens are being praised as heroes after spotting that something was seriously wrong with a man stranded on the side of the road – and their quick thinking may have saved his life.
Logan Royer, 16, Cody Magrone, 16, and Brody Murray, 17, had been sitting inside a McDonald’s in Cooper City, Florida, when they noticed 65-year-old Diego Fernandez-Delgado dealing with a flat tire on South Flamingo Road after one of his tires blew out.
His phone had died, leaving him stuck trying to change the tire on his own. That’s when the three teens stepped in to help. But the boys quickly realized this was about more than just a flat tire.
With temperatures climbing into the 90s, they noticed Fernandez-Delgado appeared seriously unwell and suspected he could be suffering from a heat-related medical emergency. The teens immediately called 911 and stayed with him while waiting for first responders to arrive, following instructions from dispatchers to keep him as comfortable and safe as possible.
“There’s an old guy on the side of the road. We helped him change a tire, and he does not feel good at all,” one of the teens can be heard saying in a recording of the emergency call, according to UNILAD.
Their quick action likely saved his life
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Fernandez-Delgado was “too ill to speak on the phone” and was reportedly feeling weak, struggling to breathe, and experiencing chest pains.
Body camera footage later captured the three teens standing around Fernandez-Delgado while he waited for medical help to arrive. Officials now believe the boys’ fast response may have prevented a tragedy.
“First responders indicated that the students’ quick action likely saved his life,” the sheriff’s office said according to PEOPLE, revealing Fernandez-Delgado had been showing early signs of a heart attack.
Thankfully, he has since recovered from the heat-related medical emergency and is now recovering at home.
“God put us there to help this guy out”
The teens’ actions have also deeply impacted Fernandez-Delgado’s family.
“God didn’t send angels with wings,” his son, Cristian Fernandez, said. “He sent those boys.”
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office also praised the teens for stepping in when they saw someone in distress.
“Their actions serve as a powerful reminder,” the department said. “Sometimes, the difference between life and death starts with simply choosing to step in and help.”
Speaking to Good Morning America this week, the teens said helping someone in need simply felt like the right thing to do.
“It didn’t cost anything to be a good person,” they said, according to UNILAD.
Murray added: “I think what we did was very lucky. It was just the right place, right time, and maybe God put us there to help this guy out and in need.”
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