HASTINGS — A young Hastings patient was able to reunite with the crew of the Tri-City LifeNet helicopter crew who provided lifesaving care to him in flight.
In 2024, Axel Barahona, 12, was airlifted from Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings to the Children’s Hospital in Omaha after he had developed sepsis in his hip.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation and organ damage.
However, during the flight, Axel’s vital signs dropped, which prompted a brief touchdown in Lincoln where the Tri-City LifeNet’s clinicians were able to stabilize him.
“After treatment at Madonna Rehab facility in Omaha, Axel is back on his feet,” according to Tri-City LifeNet.
Now, more than a year later, Axel and his family were reunited with Tri-City LifeNet’s air medical team during a special event at Hastings Middle School on Wednesday, April 3.
Hastings Middle School students and staff gathered on the edges of the football field and watched as the Tri-City LifeNet’s Eurocopter EC135 circled the school and landed into the wind in the middle of the field.
Axel was able to climb into the co-pilot’s seat and donned his headset as the students at the edge of the field cheered for their peer. The helicopter lifted off and made several large circles of the Hastings community before landing back at the football field.
After dismounting from the helicopter, Axel was presented with a gift bag from the crew and shared a hug with each of them.
When asked what he thought of his second helicopter ride that he could enjoy, Axel said it was, “really cool.” The flight had left an impression on the young man, as he said his legs were still shaking when they landed.
But he was still able to do some sightseeing, “I was able to see my house,” Axel said.
“Tri-City LifeNet is part of Air Methods (airmethods.com), the nation’s leading air medical service, delivering lifesaving care to more than 100,000 people every year,” per Air Methods, “Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased, or maintained aircraft features approximately 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.”
