LEWES, Del.- A Cape Henlopen High School student took action recently when he saw a man having a heart attack at his school's homecoming football game. On Thursday, this student was surprised with an emotional reunion.
It was a day full of tears, surprises and thankfulness. High school junior James Zuber was shocked to see Mike Bacher in his halls on Thursday with his family and friends. James' father has been the high school's custodian for years. He was at the reunion and says this day means everything to him and his family.
On Oct. 4, Zuber attended the Cape Henlopen homecoming football game. He was walking in the park lot when he saw Mike Bacher lying on the ground.
"I was like are you alright. I wanted to make sure he was okay and then he grabbed his chest and said no I'm having a heart attack," said Zuber.
"He just came up to me and said, 'Are you OK?' I said, 'Why?' and he said, 'I saw you grab your chest.' I said, 'Actually I'm not OK,'" Bacher said.
Bacher has been wearing a heart defibrillator for 13 years and it went off for the first time during the Cape High football game. Bacher said he never felt that way before. He said how he was very lucky that James and his friends were there to help him. Bacher told his family that he needed to show his gratitude in some way to James.
"He's a young kid just doing a good deed and I wanted to recognize him. We don't do enough to probably thank the kids that we should," said Bacher.
Bacher's wife Joanne joined him at the reunion along with their daughters to meet James. Joanne says she was not at the game and is so grateful that students took action to save her husband.
"We want to recognize him because he kept the situation very calm and he calmed Mike," said Joanne.
As a former Boy Scout, Zuber learned how to remain calm during emergency situations. He learned to always stay with the person and to call 9-1-1, which helped assist Bacher.
Cape Henlopen High Principal Nikki Miller set up the surprise. Miller says she wanted Zuber to be recognized for his good deed.
"We are really proud when we see students stepping up and having such good character," said Miller.
Zuber and Bacher hope their story inspires others to be alert and to be a Good Samaritan if needed.