The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said the efforts of 911 dispatch and four other agencies helped save the life of a 19-month-old Nicholas “Neko” LeCour last Thursday.
According to the statement, at approximately 11 p.m., Sept. 5, 911 dispatchers received a medical emergency call regarding a 19-month-old male who was unresponsive and having seizures in the Riceville area of Johnson County.
Paintsville EMS was dispatched, the statement said, but JCSO deputies Chad Penix and Luis Crespo Ramos, who were together patrolling the area of U.S. 23 south of Staffordsville, heard the call and realized that they could reach the child more quickly.
“Deputy Penix, who is also a certified firefighter and first responder, met the child, aunt and mother of the child at the intersection of U.S. 460 and 825,” the statement said. “The child, who was still unresponsive at this time, and the mother were taken towards the City of Paintsville in the deputy’s cruiser. Deputy Crespo immediately began attending to the child and was able to get the child to a state of responsiveness.”
The deputies then met Paintsville EMS at the intersection of U.S. 460 and Caudill Fork and the child was transferred to their care, the statement said.
“Members of both crews attended to the child and Deputy Penix was able to assist EMS by driving the ambulance,” the statement said. “It was determined by EMS that the best course of action would be to life-flight the child to Cabell Huntington Hospital.”
The statement said the Paintsville Fire Department secured a landing zone for Air Methods, a Martin County-based air medical transport company, at Johnson County Middle School. Once the flight crew had landed, care was turned over to their team.
“Sheriff Saylor would like to thank everyone involved,” the statement said. “This level of teamwork amongst various organizations is what makes Johnson County home to some of the best first responders in the state.”
Neko’s mother, Emily LeCour, said that he had been suffering from an ear infection and that a fever of at least 105 degrees was the probable cause of the medical emergency.
She expressed gratitude for the responders.
“They all were awesome, from the 911 lady to the flight crew,” she said. “I have seen firsthand how Johnson County first responders, be it the 911 dispatchers, deputies or fire and rescue, care about their patients and the people in the community. They showed so much support and love towards my son that I truly can’t thank them all enough.”
LeCour said Neko was released from the hospital the following day and that she is “so glad (she) gets to see him being his rambunctious self” once again.
By Reagan Coburn
The Paintsville Herald
