LOCAL NEWS

Cardiac arrest survivor reunites with off duty first responders who performed CPR when he collapsed

Dec 12, 2024, 7:04 PM | Updated: Dec 13, 2024, 9:08 am

AMERICAN FORK — On Thursday, a Pleasant Grove man was reunited with the people who saved his life when he went into cardiac arrest at the gym.

Kevan Elkins is only 39-years-old. He remembers starting his first set of weight-lifting at the gym on Nov. 1.

“I started my first set list, and then my memory blanks out until I felt like I was rolling,” he said.

Intermountain American Fork Hospital Emergency Room Nurse Cameron Connelly happened to see him collapse. She went over to check on him and noticed he wasn’t breathing.

Intermountain American Fork Hospital Emergency Room Nurse Cameron Connelly (KSL TV)

“He probably just passed out,” she thought at the time. “He lifted too heavy. I got down next to him and immediately realized that that was not what was happening.”

He wasn’t responding to her and wasn’t breathing

Pleasant Grove paramedic Curtis Hutchinson, who happens to work with Connelly often, was also working out and came over to help. He called 911 while the nurse began CPR.

“I lost you three times and we got you back four,” Connelly told Elkins during an emotional reunion.

Connelly and Hutchinson took turns doing chest compressions. Hutchinson used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock Elkins back into normal rhythm. First responders arrived just a few minutes later.

“When we get on scene, we usually see CPR still in progress and a lifeless patient,” said American Fork Fire Battalion Chief Tim Dunkley. “We didn’t see that this time.”

Elkins was taken to Timpanogos Hospital, where he received an internal defibrillator.

‘I’m beyond happy you had training and you got me back’

Dunkley said Elkins won the lottery as far as who his good samaritans were.

“I know you guys do it for a living but you didn’t have to that day,” Elkins told Connelly and Hutchinson. “I’m beyond happy you had training and you got me back.”

Kevan Elkins became emotional before thanking an Intermountain Healthcare nurse for saving his life after he suffered cardiac arrest at the gym. (KSL TV)

First responders said every second of Connelly’s and Hutchinson’s work mattered.

“We still hover around 10% survival rate out of hospital cardiac arrest,” Dunkley said. “Every minute that that’s prolonged, that chance of survival actually drops by 10%.”

Something anybody can learn

Hutchinson said anyone could’ve done what they did. He encourages people to take CPR training.

“Keeping compressions going, getting an AED, early defibrillation, something that literally any person in the community can learn,” Hutchinson said.

Elkins is forever grateful.

“I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t been there,” he said. “It took me a couple of weeks, really, to come to terms with the fact that I was like, I died twice, actually and almost left my son without his dad.”

Both the nurse and paramedic were awarded Intermountain Health Challenge Coins for jumping in to help save Elkins’s life, while they were off the clock.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

FILE - A police vehicle flashes its lights. (Matt Rourke, Associated Press) FILE: police lights. On...

Michael Houck

Pedestrian killed after being hit by a vehicle, Santa Clara-Ivins police say

A woman was fatally hit by a vehicle Friday evening, Santa Clara-Ivins police say.

20 minutes ago

An Orem home that was scheduled to be demolished on fire on Feb. 4, 2025....

Brian Carlson

Massive Orem house fire being investigated as arson

A fire that destroyed an empty Orem home in a wooded area of the city is now being investigated as arson.

1 hour ago

Nancy Duncan and Nick Jenderko behind Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards show....

Mike Anderson

Utahns sat among stars at the Grammys

Some Utahns earned some bragging rights after a night at the Grammy Awards.

2 hours ago

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

3 hours ago

Over a thousand people filled the state Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to vet...

Shara Park

Thousands gather at Capitol Hill to protest against controversial union bill

Over a thousand people filled the Utah State Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to veto HB267.

3 hours ago

West Valley City police officers preforming a welfare check at the home of Sha Reh and Bu Meh on De...

Courtney Johns

Did police miss a key opportunity in West Valley family homicide?

KSL Investigators obtained body camera footage that provides insight into how West Valley City police responded to a welfare check the night before police discovered the tragic murder-suicide inside the home. 

4 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Cardiac arrest survivor reunites with off duty first responders who performed CPR when he collapsed