Mpls. hotel workers save New Jersey man's life

Associated Press

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 5:47 AM

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Two Minneapolis hotel employees are being credited with saving the life of a New Jersey man who nearly drowned after having a seizure in the hotel pool, according to KSTP-TV reports.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will present the two workers, Steven Smith and Jason Cariveau, with the Minnesota Public Safety Service Award of Merit during a ceremony Thursday.

On Aug. 10, Smith was a hotel bellman and Cariveau was the manager on duty. When Adekunle Badru went under, Smith and Cariveau jumped into the Millennium Hotel and pulled him out.

They did CPR until he was taken to a hospital. Badru was unresponsive for weeks, but he has since returned to New Jersey. He says he's feeling great and is grateful for his rescue.

Smith says it's a miracle Badru survived.

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