AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. -- Northern Quest Casino was the place to be Thursday to get a glimpse of some hometown heroes. 13 people received awards for their life saving actions or tireless work to benefit our community. Two of those men are responsible for saving 21-year-old Robert Yamada from a diving accident. Yamada is now paralyzed from the neck down. But his family says he is making strides thanks to the courage of his friends.
More than 500 people showed up to support Sean Caskey and Devon Stuck. Robert's father, John, surprised the two friends by flying from Robert's spine rehab clinic in Denver just to be at the event.
Back in July, Robert and his friends were swimming in Lake Roosevelt where they've gone countless of times before. But one dive that Robert made was different. He broke his neck and came up floating.
"You would never imagine something like that happening," said Sean Caskey.
But the unimaginable had happened. The men were alone and with no cell phone service. Sean ran for help.
"It was scary, very intense, and also surreal," reflected Caskey.
Devin Stuck gave CPR for 40 minutes, saving Robert from brain damage until a helicopter arrived. But what they couldn't save him from was the spine damage. Robert is now paralyzed from the neck down. He is improving thanks in part to his friend's support.
Thursday was all about Sean and Devin. But for John, the words "thank you" will never be enough.
