Angel in Orange
Press Release for July 20, 2011
She says she is not a hero, but helping someone else unselfishly in their time of crisis is what helps define heroism. That is what RN Jessica Elliott, Hargrave Military Academy’s Head Nurse, did on Friday, July 14, 2011.
While passing through Cary, North Carolina to meet family, Elliott took a different route to avoid afternoon traffic. Her decision put her in the right place at the right time to help save the life of Cary Senior Patrol Officer Chad Penland, 32.
Elliott, Hargrave’s Head Nurse since August 2010, took an opportunity to make a difference, and in so doing saved a life, warmed the hearts of an entire police department and showed everyone at the intersection of Mooresville Carpenter Road and State Road 55 what true crisis leadership is all about.
“There was a box truck pulled over on the side of the road,” said Elliott. “Two motorcycle units had pulled him over. I was coming upon them. Their lights were on. I then saw one unit turn his sirens on and pull away.”
“It wasn’t very long before we came to the intersection where the accident occurred. The motorcycle unit proceeded through the intersection (in pursuit of another vehicle) when a white pick-up truck turned in front of him. The motorcycle unit hit the truck’s passenger side door and flipped into the air,” added Elliott. “That is what saved him (Penland). He hit and flew up instead of impacting the truck completely.”
Some accounts place Officer Penland and his motorcycle as high as 20 feet in the air.
Elliott’s young daughter was travelling behind her in a car seat. Elliott knew the accident scene was going to be bad, and that she was going to have to stop. After pulling over, Elliott secured her daughter and ran over to help. She had no medical gear or protective equipment. She arrived on the scene with her bright orange Hargrave nurse’s shirt.
Officer Penland’s helmet was intact, but Elliott observed massive facial trauma, severe trauma to his right arm and possibly ‘many’ broken bones. Officer Penland’s motorcycle had also landed very near him and was leaking gasoline.
When Elliott began her nursing career, she had EMT training in Campbell County Virginia. She started work with Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1999. She gained experience working in as an ICU – Critical Care Nurse and as an Operating Room Nurse. Eventually, she became a House Nursing Supervisor. She also learned the Healthcare Incident Command System (H.I.C.S.) for large emergency situations.
“H.I.C.S.,” says Elliott, “teaches you how to take charge.”
Proper assessment of the scene and assessment of Officer Penland lead to immediate improvements in the overall situation.
“When I got to him, there were three or four of us there,” said Elliott. “I asked if they had medical training.”
Despite their good intentions, no one had medical training.
Officer Penland also needed immediate help with an obstructed airway. He was basically choking on blood. Elliott immediately went to work seeking a way to stabilize his airway. Working from the ABC checklist (ABC for Airway, Breathing and Circulation), she gained some control of Officer Penland’s dire breathing situation.
“His airway and blood loss were the major issues,” said Elliott. “The goal was to keep him stabilized.”
Motorcycle gasoline was also becoming a major environmental issue for Officer Penland, and Elliott asked bystanders to move the wrecked bike away from them, which they immediately did. Two other bystanders took shirts off their backs to provide tourniquet materials for Officer Penland’s arm. Elliott also gained assistance to help roll Officer Penland to his side to avoid possible further damage to his spine. In doing this, it was easier for Office Penland to breathe. Bystanders, and later EMT and police, would check on her daughter. Finally, Elliott had someone to secure Officer Penland’s sidearm and belt, which was torn from his body after impact with the truck.
During all of this activity, Officer Penland never lost consciousness. Elliott could see his eyes. He could hear her voice. He wanted to talk. He desperately wanted to communicate. She just wanted him to live.
The rescue squad and fire response teams would arrive to assist the RN on the scene, and begin a fast transport to Duke Medical Center.
Shortly after the incident someone in the Cary police department dubbed Elliott “The Angel in Orange” for her medical skill, professionalism and command pose for the immediate care provided to Officer Penland.
“It is amazing to think that she was there at that time at that place,” said Barry Nickalson, Cary’s Deputy Chief of Police. “We are very grateful and thankful to her. She didn’t have to stop, but she did.”
Elliott agrees, “I was exactly who needed to be there. I don’t think that was an accident. That is not the route that I would usually use.”
“Jessica demonstrates the civic mindedness that we strive to teach on a daily basis,” said BG Don Broome USA (Ret.), president of Hargrave Military Academy. “Her decision to “get involved” and “do the right thing” was probably instrumental in saving this officer’s life. This is an example we can all emulate.”
