In the wake of the tragic events that transpired last Sunday night at the Mandalay Bay, countless heroes emerged amidst the chaos. One survivor, who has a compelling story to tell, experienced a moving reunion with the individual who played a pivotal role in his survival. Without this act of bravery, he believes he might not be here today.
As reported by Today, Mark Thompson was shot in the leg while desperately trying to escape the hail of gunfire unleashed by Stephen Paddock from the 32nd floor of the hotel. Paddock’s actions resulted in the loss of 58 lives and left over 500 individuals injured. Thanks to the heroic efforts of fellow concertgoer, Alex Carter, Thompson’s story is one of survival rather than tragedy.
A Harrowing Experience
In a touching segment with Today host Savannah Guthrie, Thompson recounted the horrifying moments of that night. He shared the all-too-familiar experience of mistaking the initial gunfire for fireworks before realizing the urgent need to flee. After assisting his wife and another woman over a wall to safety, he was shot in the leg. “By the time I got to safety, my pants were soaked and my shoe was filled with blood,” he explained. Despite his injury, he managed to climb over the wall, but it was Carter who applied a life-saving tourniquet to his leg correctly.
Swift Action Saves a Life
Carter, who is an Army Reserve member, acted swiftly to assist Thompson, who was lying in the bed of a pickup truck with an injured leg. “I noticed the tourniquet was applied incorrectly. He was actively bleeding, so I adjusted it and tightened it down. We managed to stop the bleeding, and then we waited for 10-15 minutes until a good Samaritan in a pickup truck arrived,” Carter recounted. With ten years of Army Reserve experience and EMT certification, he quipped, “I never thought I’d put my training to use in such a critical situation.”
Emotional Support in Crisis
Beyond applying the tourniquet, Carter provided Thompson with crucial emotional support during those harrowing moments. “He was worried about losing his foot, and I kept reassuring him,” Carter shared, both men chuckling at the intensity of the situation. Thompson expressed gratitude for Carter’s calm demeanor, stating, “He was really cool about it. I was terrified.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Thompson mentioned that while his leg is sore and the bullet remains lodged in his calf, he is optimistic about his recovery. “Without Alex’s quick thinking, things could have been much worse. I’m truly grateful he was there to help me.” In a display of humility, Carter remarked, “There were many other concertgoers doing similar things. People were running back towards the danger to help others. There must be countless stories like this one.”
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Conclusion
In summary, the reunion of Mark Thompson and Alex Carter highlights the incredible courage and compassion that emerged during a tragic event. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity.