MacArthur High’s Jesus Hernandez Student Aids Fallen Runner

MacArthur High School cross country runner Jesús Hernández was recognized during the Oct. 22 Board meeting for coming to the aid of an injured runner during a meet earlier this season.

Herández attended the meet earlier this season at Klein Forest to cheer on his teammates. As he was watching the event, he noticed runner Kael Smith of Langham Creek High School had fallen on the course and appeared to be in distress. As other runners jumped over Kael, Jesús removed him from the track and called for assistance.

Kael’s mother, Kelly Smith, said her son suffered severe heat exhaustion and dehydration during the race. Thanks to Jesús’ quick thinking, Kael received the medical attention he needed. Paramedics told Mrs. Smith that Kael was lucky Jesús came to his aid when he did because his pulse rate was at 170 and his body temperature was 102.8 20 minutes after he had fallen.

Mrs. Smith said Kael is 100 percent healthy and she said can’t thank Jesús enough for coming to his aid. “I would hope that he would be recognized for what he did to help a fellow runner on an opposing team,” Mrs. Smith wrote in an email to MacArthur High School principal Dr. Kristin Craft. “I want to commend Jesús for his selfless and heroic act.”

Joining Jesús at the Oct. 22 Board meeting were his mother, brother, sister and Dr. Craft.

Jesús Hernández (center) joined by his mother, brother, sister and Principal Dr. Craft.