From rescuer to rescued: Doctor and paramedic save each other’s lives 30 years apart

From rescuer to rescued: Doctor and paramedic save each other’s lives 30 years apart

It’s incredible enough that a baby’s life is saved against the odds. But it’s even more incredible when that baby grows up to save the life of the doctor who saved his.

trokey shannon

Exactly four years ago, on March 29, 2011, Dr. Michael Shannon was driving on Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point when a semi-truck T-boned his SUV, pinning his vehicle underneath the truck as it caught fire.

Firefighters from Paramedic Engine 29 were returning from another call and responded within minutes to the fiery crash.

By the time they arrived, Shannon’s vehicle was also ablaze and the flames were burning his legs. Fire crews then worked to extinguish the flames and rescue him using the Jaws of Life.

The seriously injured Shannon was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo where he spent the next 45 days recovering from internal injuries. He also had to have two of his toes amputated.

Among those who had helped save Shannon that day was Orange County Fire Authority paramedic Chris Trokey, whose own life had been saved 30 years earlier by the pediatrician.

“I didn’t know about until I went to the hospital and started talking about it, Dr. Shannon. And I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Dr. Shannon?’” Trokey recalled on Sunday. “That’s when I found out.”

Trokey was just 3.2 pounds at birth, and doctors had initially gave him a 50/50 chance at surviving. But his pediatrician — Dr. Shannon — helped save his life, staying with the infant around the clock until his health improved and he was stable.

The two of them were reunited when they teamed up to raise money for childhood cancer research. And with the help of these two heroes, over $12,000 was raised, thanks to two incredible men whose lives were filled with incredible moments.

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