Hero Intern Who Saved Giffords’ Life Gives Exclusive Interview to ABC News
- Posted on January 9, 2011 at 10:57am by
Scott Baker
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In an exclusive interview with “This Week” anchor Christiane Amanpour, Daniel Hernandez, the intern described by some as the hero who assisted Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords immediately after the Saturday’s shooting, provided a first-hand account of the tragic attack in Tucson, Ariz.
“When I heard gunshots, my first instinct was to head toward the congresswoman to make sure that she was okay,” Hernandez told Amanpour. “Once I saw that she was down, and there were more than one victim, I went ahead and started doing the limited triage that I could with what I had.”
“When this happened, I kind of just shut off all emotion because I knew I wouldn’t be any good to anyone if I had a breakdown,” Hernendez remembered. “I had to lift up the congresswoman because she was severely injured, and I wanted to make sure that she was able to breathe okay because there was so much blood.”
Hernendez used smocks from the grocery store to bandage the wounded victims.
“The congresswoman was alert. She was able to hold my hand when I asked her if she could hear me,” said Hernendez. “I wasn’t able to get any words from her. She may have been trying, but because of the way that I was having to hold her it was a lot easier to just ‘if you can hear me Gabby just grab my hand to let me know that you’re okay.’”
Then he saw Giffords. She had fallen and was lying contorted on the sidewalk. She was bleeding.
Using his hand, Hernandez applied pressure to the entry wound on her forehead. He pulled her into his lap, holding her upright against him so she wouldn’t choke on her own blood. Giffords was conscious, but quiet.
Ron Barber, Giffords’ district director, was next to her. Hernandez told a bystander how to apply pressure to one of Barber’s wounds.
Barber told Hernandez, “Make sure you stay with Gabby. Make sure you help Gabby.”
Hernandez used his hand to apply pressure until someone from inside Safeway brought him clean smocks from the meat department. He used them to apply pressure on the entrance wound, unaware there was an exit wound. He never let go of her.
He stayed with Giffords until paramedics arrived. They strapped her to a board and loaded her into an ambulance. Hernandez climbed in with her. On the ride to the hospital, he held her hand. She squeezed his back.
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Comments (86)
DenzlerMedia
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:59pmThank you Mr. Daniel Hernandez for your grace under pressure.
Report Post »dlmarsh
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:58pmHow can anyone on this site say anything other than Thank You and God Bless to the intern that rushed to her side to help her. He has the courage, conviction, faith, hope, and charity that we all should have at all times for all fellow Americans. I only pray that if I was put in that same situation that I would have the clear thinking and guidance to do the same thing. We should all be praying for the victims, their families, Our Country, and We the People.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:50pmYour mother needs slapped for birthing such a pile of excrement.
matinva
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:39pmYou are a tool. Leave your baloney outside for the squirrels.
Report Post »AR485
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:20pmThis young man is surely a sheep dog in our society, protecting the sheep from the wolves. Whether or not he knew it about himself or not at the time, he has that rare ability to respond appropriately during a life-or-death crisis. I know nothing else about this young man, but he is truly a sheep dog!
Report Post »Gerrymanderer
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:17pmHow dare Sarah Palin say ‘Don’t retreat, reload’ What an instigating metaphor to get crazy people motivated to shoot to kill. Sarah, grow up and use better phrasing.
Report Post »matinva
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:42pmSave your BS for the leftist nut jobs calling for violent uprising against the government and corporations. Sarah Palin was not the first to use such metaphors. Do your homework before you continue to make a fool of yourself.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:58pmYou’re a weak POS, the nut was a leftist, get over it, moron.
Report Post »idrathermisstotheright
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:09pmFor the love of god, please take you conspiracy theory and other website promotion to another story.
God bless him for his quick thinking and adequate response to saving her life. God bless her and her family too. May God walk with her and show her the path to recovery and give her the strength to overcome.
Amen
Please forgive the tears on the screen of my iPhone.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:54pmIt is so hard to read this. Whatever possesses a person to commit such an insane, horrible act? I don’t believe they ever think about or envision the consequences. Politically speaking, in a free country, violence against public servants is ALWAYS UNACCEPTABLE and OBSCENE!
Report Post »Thomas Paine
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:53pmJared Lee Loughner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Celhg0AMwpM
—————————————
Coincidence or Conspiracy ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtEigNKyk50
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:48pmHow long has this young adult been simmering in the hate broth? Will we be allowed to know the browsing history on his hard drive? Now that this act occured it’s our right as the people to that discovery so that we can watch for signs of indoctrinated hate in our children, friends and associates. We need to talk these people down from the ledge before more decide to ‘take a leap of faith’
Report Post »13thGenerationAmerican
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:48pmLock n Load, don’t retreat, reload Palin who put cross hairs on the victim.
Palin is finished.
VanGrungy
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:20pmRotflmao you are so weak.
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:23pmGo find a padded echo chamber. I hear Daily KOS is a nice soft place for haters to land and ruminate.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:56pmIf I could stand to look at a picture of you, 13 Generations of Stupidity, I’d put a cross hair on it, what are you going to do about it punk? Coward, Un-American POS, just like the shooter.
raybojabo
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:38pmThis is off topic, but did anyone hear that Judge Rolls just issued a critical ruling against the Obama regime 72 hours before the shooting?
http://www.eutimes.net/2011/01/top-us-federal-judge-assassinated-after-threat-to-obama-agenda/
Report Post »iamhungry
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:35pmSo the hero, not the villain, had Mexican heritage. The irony will be missed by lots of people.
Report Post »hulagu
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:20pmWhat irony,was he an illegal?
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:53pmI’m of Mexican heritage, what does that matter, I’m a legal American, you phucking moron.
Report Post »hulagu
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 2:13pmBob,exactly,his heritage has nothing to do with this.
Report Post »iamhungry
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 9:57pmWhich is exactly the reason for the concern about the much debated Arizonan immigration law. If he was pulled over for a suspected driving offence then he would have had his immigration status checked for no other reason than his name.
Report Post »Nathaniel Horn
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:27pmThis all just makes me cry. I fear it will get worse. It’s not only beautiful, individual people; it‘s the whole Republic that’s taken a bullet. New ground has been broken here. We are not Haiti! Now the paranoia of those in power and limelight will grow and a little bit more of our Freedom will be lost. Fear is the Freedom killer. Look at the TSA and the gun protesters. We need to learn from the English. We must resist the instinct to clamp down! We need Bulldog spirit!
Report Post »WebGuy
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:25pmMy prayers are with all the victims.
It just seems curious that one of the most outspoken supporters of the healthcare bill is shot by a nutcase just before the House vote to repeal, causing the vote to be postponed.
Report Post »bbr48
Posted on January 10, 2011 at 7:36amI heard this same statement last night from a relative. Coincidence???
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:13pmWhy is it that a reporter will ask someone to explain what happened then interrupt them while they are trying to explain what happened. I have notice that all the media’s do it. Let them explain or ask them yes and no questions.
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:25pmYes, I find the ‘overtalking’ so disrespectful.
Report Post »And when they get three or four are all talking over each other, I switch channels, just to get some peace. Bill Hemmer and others on Fox does this all the time.
If I was a guest, being interviewed and they talk over me, I would just stop speaking. When they ask for another comment, I would explain politely that interruptions like that will not be sanctioned by me.
Lets give each other the respect to finish their comment without interruptions..
TRUTHSEEKINGAL
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 7:16pmIf you saw Megyn Kelly’s inerview of Mr. Hernandez, one of God’s appointed guardians yesterday, she apologized to him, for the (approx, 30 sec.) delay experienced due to satelite signals.
I have heard newscaster mention this and apologize to interviewees ,as it appears they are being interrupted by the reporter, when that is not intended. I am so saddened by the horrific senseless acts of this disturbed individual,and I have prayed to our Lord,between tears to heal those wounded and comfort their loved ones.God’s grace is upon our stricken country. I sure pray more will witness this. Although the loss of that beautiful innocent child,and others is beyond our ability ,as humans, to gasp,their were also other miraculous things IMO that took place. Many took the “fight” initiative as opposed to “flight”. and only divine intervention serves to explain that.
Report Post »YankeeBlue
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:08pmI officially petition God for a miracle of full recovery.
Report Post »William_Wallace
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 2:10pmYou cannot petition the lord with prayer!
Report Post »termiteteacher
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 3:55pmMe too, YANKEEBLUE
Report Post »But I’ll take, limited motor skills on the right side, and the ability to talk to her loved ones.
Maybe she will be used to bring sanity to the mental illness called “Liberalism” and perhaps her case will pursuade more law abiding citizens to use Concealed Carry; that could have saved lives.
CanadianMan
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:06pmI think this whole shooting is tragic, i am sad to see all the political twist on this… the very focus on it lessens the value of the lives that were lost.
Report Post »suzy000
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:03pmWe really have great Americans! It is times like these when we all come together and put others first and ourselves second…like Ron Barber did……. I am so proud to be an American!
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:02pmI hope she lives so she can witness the execution of the piece of crap that did this…. Liberals should not be allowed to own firearms, they are just too dangerous.
Report Post »Kisha
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:01pmSome people are incredibly good under immense pressure. Thank the Lord he was there. A guardian angel. God Bless him and Gabby!
Report Post »Lion420
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:59amA real American
Report Post »iamhungry
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:34pmwith a name like ‘Hernandez’? Now imagine if the shooter was named Daniel Hernandez……
Report Post »danieljersey
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 5:43pmYes a person can be American and have a last name like Hernandez. I was unaware that being American required having specific last names.
Report Post »Chuck in Belpre
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:58amGood man.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:02pmI agree
Report Post »Carl McPherson
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:54amAZ shooter; Pelosi supporter
Report Post »http://free-speech-while-it-lasts.blogspot.com/2011/01/arizona-shooter-nancy-pelosi-supporter.html
snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:03pmSaw the link, and so did a Pelosi supporter looking at it over my shoulder; he declared Palin and Glenn need to be ‘shot down in the street like all other white criminals of the human race.’ I still expect him to make more such comments soon.
By the way, this is one of the people I gave a copy of “Broke” to for christmas.
Report Post »AZBabe
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:26pmThese comments were not of the AZ shooter, he was not married, did not live in Oro Valley and was not disabled or gay.
Please check your information before you post it.
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:26pmThanks Carl, good article.
Report Post »iamhungry
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:33pmThat article has no evidence at all of the shooter’s intentions or beliefs.
Report Post »Luckywon
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:47pmWhile I agree that the shooter was and is an extreme leftist, the article you posted the link to could NOT have been written by him. For one thing, the article mentions that he worked for the congresswoman’s campaign in 2002, the shooter was 14 at the time. Also, he mentions that he tried to commit suicide and shot himself in the head, the shooter was never hospitalized and disabled from a bullet to the head.
Report Post »The article DOES expose how some liberals view conservative Democrats, possibly explaining why this kid attacked her, but misinformation like this does NOT help the conservative cause.
CatB
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:49amThank God he was close by …
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:57amI agree. He probably saved her life. I hope that she survives and is able to recover. We need more heros like him.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 11:57amAmen.
Report Post »RightWrite
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:15pmShooter is confirmed Leftist radical = http://tinyurl.com/23c4xtd
kryptonite
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:26pmBrain injury was to the whole left hemisphere of the brain. It seemed very strange to me that it was being reported even by doctors on FOX that she was talking, since it is where language and logic are laterized. The doctors won’t say it, but it is very unlikely she will ever be able to return to work. Reminds me of James Brady. Very, very sad. If it were me, I’d rather go to be with the Lord.
Report Post »BeckIsControlled
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:27pmget the truth from the real patriot site http://www.infowars.com Glen Beck copies everything Alex Jones says on infowars so cut out the middleman and go to the source. Glen Beck is being paid to subvert the patriot movement, he is a control mechanism.
Cliff
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:43pmI was really touched with this interview… this young man needs to be honored as a national hero! I know most will say he did what he had to do… and that he was trained somewhat, but please remember that a majority of people would have ran the other way… this young man deserves recognition for probably being the reason Gabby is alive!
On second note… Christiana why would you ruin a great interview with the two retarded sentences at the end… THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR POLITICS, this guy was a left wing wacko!
http://www.mentordvd.com
Report Post »mcfinch
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:44pmAgree it was good.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 12:47pm@RightWrite
Of course DailyKos would scrub damning comments, but how will the right be able to prove it was Loughner? I doubt the FBI will confirm it. They rushed to removed his Facebook and MySpace info, precisely because they have an invested interest in keeping this killer’s true ideology secret. Their boss, Obama, already knows full well who Loughner is.
treshall
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 1:55pmExactly! Thank God for people like this young man, who knew what to do and remained calm enough to do it. God bless him and all the others of yesterday’s shootings.
Report Post »mcfinch
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 2:51pmGreat hero!
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Video Website
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 3:45pmSo now they will pass a new law banning semi auto pistols with Giffords
name on it
very convenient indeed
Plus we get to Demonize anyone who points out the fact
that our money is under Jewish control.
Bravo, Bravo that is the way I would report it if I controlled the banking system
and people were waking up to this fact.
perfect timing 1/9/11 and Ron Paul takes over
http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/12/news/economy/Bernanke_Paul/index.htm
Maybe Ron Paul was the second man ????
StMichelob
Posted on January 9, 2011 at 7:04pmThis guy is 21? Are you serious?? he needs to enlist in the Navy as a corpsman, “I have limited training in triage’ In this job, you HAVE to have the best instincts, and you served well, sir.
As a former Marine, i give you sir, my hand salute.
Semper Fi, Daniel Hernandez. You are a true hero.
Report Post »dvdkim
Posted on January 10, 2011 at 1:05am@STMICHELOB
Report Post »Yes, Daniel Hernandez is a true hero, but since he is openly gay, he would not have been allowed to join the military. But thankfully, it appears that will be changing soon!