Dad collapsed after being stung by swarm of wasps—his daughter recalled a conversation she ‘overheard’ to save him
When it comes to emergencies, even the smallest bit of information can render life-saving. Providing medication can be a delicate process and not having complete knowledge about the patient can be problematic. Ricky Melton, Deputy Chief of Coryell City Osage Fire Department, Texas, suffered a life-threatening accident when he was at work, as reported by KWTX News10. To his luck, his daughter, Captain Tiffany Butler, was also working in the same department and was instantly alerted when he was stung by wasps. Her quick recall at the right time helped save his life.
The father and daughter have been proud to work together in the volunteer fire department. To give their services has been a family tradition that the duo were proud to follow. The man recalled how he was busy working on some equipment when he heard frantic screams, “Bees! Bees!” Unfortunately, the warning came a little too late and before the dad had a chance to escape, he was already stung twice by a swarm of wasps. The department quickly received the call that one of their men was down. “We got a call about an elderly male being unresponsive,” one of the chief firefighters recalled.
The daughter quickly made her way and began calling out to her father, fearing the worst. Melton, though in a dangerous state, managed to make his way to his daughter, who swiftly brought him to a safe corner. For the first time, Butler was alone. She noted how her dad had been working at the department ever since she was a young girl. In that moment, she was left to deal with the idea of what to do all by herself without having her dad to guide her. While Melton was fighting for life and the members were wondering what the quickest first aid would be, Butler made an instant recall. “I just happened to hear a conversation a few days before,” the woman recounted.
It was mentioned at that time that Melton had been carrying an EpiPen with him in his pocket. However, throughout her life, Butler never saw her father use the item or mention it. With moments to act, the daughter knew it was the right time. “I reached in and grabbed it and I got him in the leg with it,” she explained. Within 30 seconds, the dad started showing a response and was gasping for air. “I knew it was doing something for him," she remarked. The ambulance had already been called and shortly after the EpiPen was administered, Melton was taken away for further treatment. He has since recovered and is doing well.
It was Butler’s astute action and recall in time that made a massive difference in the dad’s recovery process. The dad, too, commented that had she not overheard the conversation about the EpiPen, he would not have made it. “You did the right thing and I’m so proud of you,” Melton said to his daughter. “I love you, girl,” he said as the duo shared a tearful embrace, grateful that the dad was alive.