Spanish Fork man thanks teens and first responders for saving his life

SPANISH FORK — When 49-year-old Farris Child collapsed at his son’s track meet in late August, the two teenagers who performed CPR on him were scared to death.

They had taken a CPR class at school the year before, but said nothing could have prepared them for these moments. The child appeared to be dying. But that was in August.

On Tuesday night at Spanish Fork City Hall, Child thanked everyone involved on that August day, calling it a miracle.

“I am truly grateful to everyone who has helped me and my family along this journey,” Child told a packed City Council meeting. His comments were met with a standing ovation from the audience and council.

“I don’t know why I’m still here, but it feels like a big miracle,” Child said.

Farris had to undergo five-valve bypass surgery after his collapse.

Farris Child wouldn’t have lived to hear that speech if it weren’t for that room full of first responders, but before they arrived, there were two teenagers who jumped in to take life-saving measures that August day. PJ Merrill and Treven Elquist began CPR.

The teens were at a soccer game that Tuesday night and therefore missed the ceremony, but their heroics will never be forgotten, and that evening the Childs family met with them to express their gratitude.

The teenagers learned important lessons that day: how to intervene without hesitation and what skills they had.

For PJ, experience has shown that he is capable of great things.

“Every time I think about it, it’s a big confidence boost,” Merrill said. “Oh, there’s no way I can do that, but then I did that, so I shouldn’t underestimate myself.”

It also helped Treven.

“Just appreciate the ones you love the most because you never know your next day might be their last,” Treven said.