Middletown neighbors save man’s life during heart attack, forming lasting bond
A heart attack on March 4 turned four Kentucky neighbors into something more like family after quick action saved a man’s life.
Daniel Kemper was home with his wife, Michelle Kemper, in their apartment across the hall from Alera Gunn and Noah Gunn. When Daniel suddenly became unresponsive, Michelle called 911 and then sought help from their neighbors.
“I think I went into survivor mode. I went across the hall and banged on their door,” Michelle Kemper said.
Alera Gunn is an ER tech and Noah Gunn is a firefighter-paramedic. Michelle called Noah and turned her phone camera toward Daniel, who was blue in the face, making agonal breaths, and slumped on the couch. He was having a heart attack.
Alera pulled Daniel to the floor and began chest compressions.
“I just had to start going and I knew for Michelle I had to stay composed,” Alera Gunn said.
At the same time, Noah Gunn, who was on duty with Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS, received the call from his wife.
“I called my battalion chief and told him the situation, like, hey, my wife is doing CPR and this is our neighbor,” Noah Gunn said.
About five minutes later, Noah and his crew arrived, giving Daniel another chance at life.
Daniel spent 27 days in the hospital, battling kidney failure brought on by the trauma. His recovery has been slow but steady.
“Everyone that came in said he’s a walking miracle,” Michelle Kemper said.
On Thursday, the Kempers reunited with the full crew who helped save Daniel’s life during a lunch for National EMS Week at the firehouse.
“How do you repay someone for saving your husband’s life?” Michelle Kemper said. “What they all did, they’re true heroes.”
Heroes, yes, but also neighbors.
“They’re like our second family now,” Michelle Kemper said.
Daniel Kemper is still undergoing physical therapy but is doing well.
