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Phenix native and Board of Supervisor member Walt Bailey has spent his life serving his community and those around him, and that does not stop when he leaves his hometown.

While on a flight to Los Angeles, California, Bailey became one man’s hero.

During the flight, a 37-year-old male with a history of cardiac events suffered a seizure.

Bailey said after the flight attendant came across the loudspeaker asking if anyone could help, he said he offered to help in any way. 

Bailey said the flight was about 30 minutes away from LAX Airport at the time of the incident.

Putting his years of training into action, Bailey said that the airline worked with him to help save the man’s life. “The airline was well prepared and had the right equipment,” he said. 

Bailey was able to stabilize the patient and remained sitting next to him until the flight landed. 

“I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me, but he just kept thanking me,” Bailey said. 

Once the flight landed and the patient was taken off, Bailey said what happened next really touched him.

Bailey, who was wearing his Lynchburg Fire Department shirt, said people stood and started clapping and yelling Lynchburg.