Teen Reunited With First Responders That Saved His Life

In September, 13 year old Aurora student, Luke Pignatelli, collapsed in gym class at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School.

CYFS firefighters Andrew Burdette, Lucas Chew, and Darryl Noble, along with acting Capt. Andre Bourrie, responded to the 911 call, and found Luke without a pulse. The firefighters used CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to revive him.

York Region paramedics Laura Rimmer, Ryan Minke and Paul McPhail arrived, continued to use advanced life support skills and transported Luke to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. Luke later had an internal defibrillator implanted in his chest, and is now doing well. 

Since the incident, we’ve provided Luke a MIKEY (portable defibrillator) through our Mikey’s Kids Program, and the entire Pignatelli family has taken a life-saving course through The Mikey Network.

On Tuesday, November 1st, Luke was reunited with the first responders that saved his life. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you,” Pignatelli said. “I feel safe knowing there are people who know what to do and are willing to save lives.”

“There are no words to express the gratitude we have for the firefighters and paramedics that were there that day,” his mother, Nicole, said. “They saved our son’s life and he is still here with us today.”

York Region Paramedic Services Superintendent Terry Chomski, said it is events such as this that bring to light the need for everyone to be trained in CPR and using an AED. “Any member of the public can learn and they should,” he said. We couldn’t agree more!

Luke is now considering a career in fire services.

To read the full story by Teresa Latchford , please visit YorkRegion.com