A Las Vegas runner experienced a life-changing moment during a routine run when he suffered a heart attack and briefly died.Phil Young was on the Lone Mountain Trail in mid-March when he collapsed after using the restroom while out for a run.”I came out of the bathroom and I guess that’s when I died,” Young said.Fortunately, two nearby Air Force officers sprang into action to help him.”Talk about the right time,” said Betsy Vencius, Young’s partner.Vencius noted that they were not alone in their efforts to save Young.While he underwent heart surgery and began his recovery, she made it her mission to find the individuals who had helped him.”How do we find these people?” Vencius recalled asking. “So my niece said, ‘Why don’t you put up a sign?’ And I’m like, oh, my God, what a great idea.”She posted a sign at the Lone Mountain Trailhead with a heartfelt message from Young.”If you were the Angel who saved my life and allowed me to take one more breath, I so admire your courage and would welcome the chance to meet you when and if you are ready,” Young wrote.Within 48 hours, the “angels” responded.”We were so excited to see your sign on the trail today knowing that you had survived,” one of them said. The experience reinforced both Young and Vencius’s belief in the strength of the Las Vegas community.”There are so many people that are so much better than what we give them credit for,” Young said.Vencius added, “I’m proud to say I live in Vegas, I really am.”
A Las Vegas runner experienced a life-changing moment during a routine run when he suffered a heart attack and briefly died.
Phil Young was on the Lone Mountain Trail in mid-March when he collapsed after using the restroom while out for a run.
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“I came out of the bathroom and I guess that’s when I died,” Young said.
Fortunately, two nearby Air Force officers sprang into action to help him.
“Talk about the right time,” said Betsy Vencius, Young’s partner.
Vencius noted that they were not alone in their efforts to save Young.
While he underwent heart surgery and began his recovery, she made it her mission to find the individuals who had helped him.
“How do we find these people?” Vencius recalled asking. “So my niece said, ‘Why don’t you put up a sign?’ And I’m like, oh, my God, what a great idea.”
She posted a sign at the Lone Mountain Trailhead with a heartfelt message from Young.
“If you were the Angel who saved my life and allowed me to take one more breath, I so admire your courage and would welcome the chance to meet you when and if you are ready,” Young wrote.
Within 48 hours, the “angels” responded.
“We were so excited to see your sign on the trail today knowing that you had survived,” one of them said.
The experience reinforced both Young and Vencius’s belief in the strength of the Las Vegas community.
“There are so many people that are so much better than what we give them credit for,” Young said.
Vencius added, “I’m proud to say I live in Vegas, I really am.”
