Two Salt Lake City Airport Authority employees have received awards for their quick action in helping a man who collapsed at the airport.

Dave Korzep, an airport operations officer with the Airport Authority Police, and James Blanco, a maintenance supervisor, hurried to help John Lackstrom after he collapsed May 12.Lackstrom, a Utah State University professor of linguistics and Spanish, was on his way to Italy when he apparently suffered problems with medications he takes for a heart condition.

He lost consciousness and fell outside Terminal 2, gashing his head badly on a stone trash container. Observers cried out, and Korzep and Blanco, who were nearby, dashed over to help.

Both Korzep and Blanco radioed for emergency medical assistance, and Korzep began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Just as Blanco was about to join in the CPR, Lackstrom regained consciousness. He was taken to LDS Hospital. Korzep and Blanco were recognized by the Airport Authority for their extra efforts and teamwork.

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"It's one of those things anyone would do to help another person," Korzep said.

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