The crew of factory trawler ‘Örfirisey RE’ have been commended by Red Cross Iceland for ‘an outstanding life-saving achievement’ that took place back in December 2014.

The 'Örfirisey' crew were commended by the Red Cross. Photo: HB Grandi/Kristján Maack

The 'Örfirisey' crew were commended by the Red Cross. Photo: HB Grandi/Kristján Maack

Crewmen used first aid skills to save the life of chief mate Kristján Víðir Kristjánsson when he suffered a cardiac arrest at sea, and a defibrillator was used to restart his heart.

“In my opinion these guys are real-life heroes. They showed exceptional heroism by keeping Kristján Víðir Kristjánsson alive for three hours before the rescue team and a doctor were able to step in,” said Jón Thorsteinn Sigurðsson, chairman of the Reykjavík branch of the Red Cross.

“We hold regular first aid training courses, and that expertise and the seamless response of the crew were what saved Kristján Víðir Kristjánsson’s life. We are extremely thankful for that,” added skipper, Trausti Egilsson.

Four commendations were awarded during 112-day and one of those was then chosen as ‘first-aider of the year.’ The award for first-aider of the year 2014 went to Anna Úrsúla Guðmundsdóttir and other players in the Valur ladies team, an award given to them for saving the life of Guðmundur Helgi Magnússon.

Topics