HASTINGS, Neb. – Axel Barahona might not be telling his harrowing story today, had it not been for a central Nebraska life-flight helicopter crew that played a huge part in saving his life. 

Wednesday was an opportunity for Barahona to reunite with and meet the Kearney-based TriCity LifeNet crew on the Hastings Middle School football field. 

"Every patient is pretty significant, that's why we're in this field," said Flight Paramedic Josh Marshall. "But any time we start dealing with kids, it's a totally different story."

On January 29, 2024, 12-year-old Barahona collapsed while getting up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night after a recent tonsillectomy.

Paramedics responded to his house in Hastings just after 5:00 a.m., and determined he was suffering from sepsis in his hip due to complications from his surgery.

Barahona went into cardiac arrest, and was transported to Mary Lanning in Hastings, before doctors determined he needed to be airlifted to Omaha. 

"I kept on asking, 'how far are we to the hospital, how far are we to the hospital?" said Barahona. 

TriCity LifeNet transported Barahona to the Children’s Hospital in Omaha, but not before he went into cardiac arrest again.

The crew on-board was able to keep him alive and stable in a race against the clock.

"It was just overwhelming when we got to Children's, we were met with an amazing team," said Marshall. "We were met by about 30 clinicians that were doing to stuff immediately to make a better outcome."

Over a year later, friends, family, and almost the entirety of Hastings Middle School watched Wednesday as the same crew who took care of Axel reunited in a heartwarming reunion.

"I just smiled a whole bunch, I was so excited and happy." said Barahona. 

Barahona took up the opportunity to ride front and center in the life-flight helicopter – so for the first time, he can say he’s taken a trip in a helicopter on his own accord.

"Thank you so much for everything you've done for me in the helicopter, and everything you've done for me to get to Omaha as fast as I could to stay here." said Barahona.