Community Corner

Two Recognized for Heroic Acts on Frontier Airlines Flights

Anthony Casciano and Stephen Fazekas, who aided two fellow passengers on a Feb. 19 flight that originated in Orlando, Florida, were recognized via joint resolution between the county executive and the freeholders.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders recognized two citizens who aided a 2-year-old girl and an adult having an asthma attack in separate incidents on one Frontier Airlines flight heading to Trenton-Mercer Airport at the June 13 freeholder meeting, officials announced. The flight took place Feb. 19.

Anthony Casciano and Stephen Fazekas, who aided two fellow passengers on a Feb. 19 flight that originated in Orlando, Florida, were recognized via joint resolution between the county executive and the freeholders.

“These two individuals deserve our thanks and appreciation for stepping forward and saving the day,” Hughes said. “It’s very fortunate that they were willing and able to help out during an in-flight emergency when no other medical assistance was available.”

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Casciano, of Montgomery Township, is a New Jersey state trooper, and Fazekas, of Burlington, is an emergency medical technician. He retired as Florence Township Police Chief last year.

The 2-year-old girl began having a seizure 20 minutes after takeoff, and the flight attendants requested the help of anyone on the flight with medical expertise. Casciano and Fazekas volunteered to help.

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Once they determined she was having a seizure, they told the pilot to land the plane as soon as possible so the girl could be taken to the hospital, officials said. The flight was rerouted to Jacksonville, and Casciano and Fazekas tended to the girl and comforted her family.

As the flight began to land in Jacksonville, an adult passenger began to have an asthma attack. Casciano and Fazekas tended to both patients, and explained their situations to paramedics upon landing in Jacksonville. Both victims recovered.

The girl, now 3, and her parents, of Hamilton Township, were in attendance to see Casciano and Fazekas honored.

Casciano and Fazekas also received Frontier Airlines gift cards to put toward their next flights and gift bags from Trenton-Mercer Airport.


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