Kiwanis honors young man for life-saving heroics

KSFY Television, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
http://www.ksfy.com/news/26821014.html

Last summer, a day on Wall Lake almost turned deadly for 15-year-old Brandon Larson. But Brandon lived because of another boater’s quick thinking and immediate action. That boater, Ryan Jorgensen, received the Robert P. Connelly Award for his actions on the water that day.

Ryan Jorgensen and his girlfriend were trying out his new jet ski when they noticed something was wrong. “They were screaming, ‘He’s stuck underwater!’ And I knew there was a paraplegic boy on the boat.”

Ryan dove in. After several long minutes underwater, he was able to free Brandon’s trapped foot and bring him up for air. Brandon made a quick recovery and was there a week later when Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead saluted Ryan’s quick work.

“Because of you, today Brandon is able to enjoy the morning sun and all that life has to offer,” Milstead said.

Ryan, whose goal is to be a firefighter, life would get back to normal after the incident. But members of the Kiwanis Club of Sioux Falls East saw the reports of what Ryan did, and member Chuck Schroder nominated Ryan for the award.

When Ryan attended the meeting with the Kiwanis members, he knew he’d be getting a Citizenship Award. But Chuck had a surprise for him: the Connelly Award.

“When you get to meet him and you get to visit with him, you find out what type of young man he is: a 19-year-old who works 72 hours a week on his job. And his goal is to be a fireman. You really understand why he is so deserving of this award.”

Ryan had no clue.

“And then they called my name and I was … I don’t know … I was really surprised. I didn't see it coming.”

And Ryan’s service in extreme conditions didn’t end last summer. Since then he helped stabilize and care for his boss who was having a heart attack, and he was the first on the scene of a vehicle crash where a young woman lost control on the ice and rolled her car.