Without the thoughtful discussion and planning of Air Canada’s Angels, an American man returning home from Kelowna last summer may never have seen his family again.
Months after Jerry Wagner suffered what he claims was a potentially life-threatening heart attack, he is searching for the woman who helped bring him home.
Wagner was scheduled to fly home from Kelowna to Philadelphia in the early morning hours of June 3, but when he arrived at the airport, his flight was canceled the day before due to what was described as an IT incident.
As he was trying to assess his next move and the prospects of being able to return home on time, the Air Canada employee working at the desk took command and announced a brand new flight, including a new flight and a new transit city. Created an itinerary.
“She brought me back to Philadelphia on my original itinerary, which is important,” Wagner told Global News.
This was important because the next morning, Wagner suffered a severe heart attack.
“There was a 99 percent blockage in the left side of my heart, and if she hadn’t taken me back to Philadelphia, I would have died on a plane or in a hotel room,” he said. “There’s no question about that.”
Wagner said he found the person he calls his “Air Canada angel” and would like to thank her for going above and beyond to save his life.
“I’m starting to wonder if she’s real or if she’s an angel sent to me this morning, but I hope this helps me find her. I just want to thank her,” he said. “I’m sure she thinks all she did was her job, but she was doing more than her job.”
Kelowna International Airport CEO Sam Samadar said he was moved by Wagner’s story and amazed that Air Canada employees took action to get Wagner home as soon as possible. He added that there was no.
“It warms my heart. We work as one campus. That’s what we preach at the airport. We all support each other and our customers and our facilities. We’re here to make sure our guests are well taken care of,”’ Samadar said.
Wagner is now well cared for by himself.
“It’s weird, but the heart attack might have been the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said. “Honestly, I’m exercising and walking and I appreciate life more than ever.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
