CHARLOTTE — What started as a routine job hanging Christmas lights at a south Charlotte home turned into a life-threatening emergency for two young men from Ukraine.
Filipp Bernik, 20, and his best friend, Erik Kyshka, 21, were working to earn money to support their families when an electrical accident knocked them both off their feet.
Erik remains in critical condition in the hospital. Filipp also suffered electrical burns to his hands.
Filipp said the two were handling a ladder when they were shocked. “We started moving a little bit, and that way the electricity wire, I think, gave us the shock,” he told Channel 9.
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After the shock, Filipp said he called out to his friend but couldn’t get a response. “I was scared about him. I called, ‘Erik, Erik, how are you, Erik? How are you, Erik?’ He’s not responding,” Filipp said.
Filipp began performing CPR. A nearby neighbor, Dr. Nina Connors, an OB-GYN, also rushed to help after learning someone needed medical attention.
Connors said she immediately began chest compressions when she realized Erik had no pulse. A contractor working at her home helped by providing rescue breaths.
“When someone is in that situation, you can’t wait for the ambulance to come. You have to resuscitate as much as you can,” Connors said.
Connors did not initially know Erik had been electrocuted. She said she was simply focused on trying to save his life.
Thanks to the efforts of Filipp, Connors, the contractor, and first responders, Erik survived and was taken to the hospital. He remains in critical condition.
Filipp said the experience has been emotionally difficult, especially as he waits for his best friend to recover. “Right now I’m doing good, but yesterday was hard for me emotionally because he was my best friend,” he said.
Charlotte Fire Battalion Chief Judge Manning credited the quick actions of people at the scene and the firefighters who performed CPR with giving the man his best chance of survival.
“It’s absolutely essential. We’re trying to ensure that the brain remains oxygenated,” Manning said. “And the fact that CPR was initiated almost immediately and then followed up by the fire department and then MEDIC gave this person the absolute best chance of survival.”
A family friend, Andrey Omelyash, also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped at the scene. “We are grateful for the first responders and every person on the spot,” he said.
Connors said the experience reinforced how important it is for people to know CPR. “It’s important to get CPR training because you never know when you might need to use that skill,” she said.
Erik’s family told Channel 9that he has lived in the United States for only a few months. They also said he does not have health insurance. They have started a GoFundMe to help cover expenses, raising more than $45,000 so far.