Kat Vochoska

Red Cross Good Samaritan Hero Red Cross of California Apr 2017 Via the Red Cross: "This award is presented to a person who helped someone in a time of emergency. Nominee in this category may have used lifesaving skills such as CPR, water rescue or first aid to assist someone. Nominee may have reached out to help another by providing a safe and secure environment to ensure their well-being."After witnessing a vehicle hydroplane on a freeway, propelling it and its passengers into a canal, I immediately pulled over and called emergency services. While… Show more Via the Red Cross: "This award is presented to a person who helped someone in a time of emergency. Nominee in this category may have used lifesaving skills such as CPR, water rescue or first aid to assist someone. Nominee may have reached out to help another by providing a safe and secure environment to ensure their well-being."After witnessing a vehicle hydroplane on a freeway, propelling it and its passengers into a canal, I immediately pulled over and called emergency services. While on the phone with the 911 operator, I ran to the scene where I found 5 passengers; 1 passenger, whose shoulder had dislocated, managed to reach the banks of the canal while the other 4 passengers, who were unable to swim, were left stranded on the roof of their sinking SUV. I pulled the gentleman from the embankment, and realizing there were no additional measures I could take without the help of emergency services, I ran back to my vehicle to retrieve a flashlight. I stood beside the freeway, close to the hole in the fence in which the vehicle had punctured, signaling arriving officers, firetrucks, and ambulances. I held the mangled gate up as emergency services crawled through to rescue the passengers. I was later told 911's system pin-pointed the vehicle's location nearly a mile from the scene; my directions to the operator brought them to the exact location. Two Bakersfield Police Department officers, Officer Messick and Officer King, rescued the remaining passengers from the water just as the SUV sank to the bottom of the canal (they also received this award). All of the passengers were then taken to the hospital in which they were cleared with only minor injuries. The efforts of everyone involved were truly humbling. While I'm grateful for the award, the power of that event—for me—was witnessing the resourcefulness, bravery, and kindness of my community. Show less