Peters high school student honored for saving friend

Walter Virany and his friend, Parker Lewis, both 15, were spending time at the South Park skate park in October.

“We were hanging out on the bleachers next to the skate park,” Walter said.

Then something unbelievable happened.

“Parker said his heart stopped. Then he collapsed,” Walter recalled.

“I was beyond scared,” he said of his first thought when Parker collapsed. “I was terrified and in disbelief.”

He yelled for help and called 911.

“I then handed the phone to one of the people who came to help, and the people on the phone said that Parker needed CPR, and I said I knew CPR because it seemed like no one else did,” Walter said.

He had learned it in his ninth-grade personal wellness class at Peters Township High School, a class that all students have to take.

Walter performed CPR on his friend for about 10 minutes until paramedics arrived. They took over the CPR and then transported Parker to St. Clair Hospital in Mt. Lebanon. Walter rode with his friend in the ambulance.

Parker underwent surgery and is now fully recovered.

For his efforts, Walter recently received the Citizen Service Award from the Allegheny County Police Department. Earlier this year, at a ceremony at Peters Township High School, where Walter is a sophomore, he was presented the Healthcare Hero Award from St. Clair Hospital for performing CPR on his friend.

Walter said he appreciates the recognition, but “the real importance was that Parker was OK.”

Parker has not had any more incidences of cardiac arrest. As a precaution, he said, the doctors implanted an internal defibrillator in his chest that will shock his heart if it stops again.

Parker is full of gratitude for everything Walter did.

“I’m so grateful for Walter,” he said, adding that he is thankful for Walter’s friendship and “for acting quickly exactly when I needed him.”

“We will be connected for a lifetime,” Parker added.

“My future feels very bright, and I have Walter and the doctors to thank for that.”