NEWSROOM

Corps Contractor Saves Toddler’s Life
Story by Fred Tucker, Nashville District Public Affairs

Workplace CPR training and happenstance enabled Eddie Ware, 51, a Nashville District, US Army Corps of Engineers contractor, to save the life of three-year-old Meggie Bailey, who stepped into a motel swimming pool near Wolf Creek Dam Tuesday, June 23.

About 10:45 a.m., Ware, a surveyor for Arcadis U.S. Inc., Chattanooga, was at the front desk of Cumberland Lodge, Russell Springs, Ky., making arrangements with motel manager Beverly Sullivan to stay another day as all his needed equipment had not arrived.

“Meggie’s eight-year-old sister, Isabelle, ran into the lobby screaming for help, saying that her little sister had drowned,” Sullivan said. “Isabelle had pulled her sister from the pool, and her grandmother, Jennifer Bevins, was screaming for help and attempting CPR on Meggie who was unconscious and turning blue,” Sullivan added.

That’s when Eddie Ware, a soft-spoken grandfather of six, ages five to 10, stepped in. Sullivan said that Ware told the nearly hysterical grandmother, “I know CPR and I can help her.”

“Upon receiving the grandmother’s permission, Eddie began applying chest compressions and directed me to call 911, which I did. Upon my return to the pool, the girl was on her stomach across Eddie’s lap, regurgitating water.

“Not recognizing Eddie when she regained consciousness, she reached out to me. She was scared, but fully conscious when Russell County EMS arrived shortly afterward,” Sullivan added.

Mrs. Bevins was at the pool with her four grandchildren that Tuesday morning. Returning to Nashville from a trip to attend Vacation Bible School in Pikeville, the Bailey family was traveling with grandparents Jennifer and Rodney. They had experienced car trouble on Cumberland Parkway and were staying at the Lodge while the car was being repaired.

Eddie Ware downplayed his role in resuscitating Meggie. “I received CPR training last year through my company, Arcadis. Things happened so fast I just acted on reflex and applied the CPR skills I learned in class. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” he explained.

Beverly Sullivan doesn’t necessarily agree that it was all happenstance.

“Eddie is just a nice, straightforward person who doesn’t think he did anything special. But he saved that little girl’s life. He was meant to be here at that time, for that purpose,” Sullivan said. “I’m just grateful Eddie was here and did what he had to do.” she added.

Meggie got back into the water that afternoon, but remained on the pool steps with many watchful eyes on her, according to Sullivan.