UNE nursing graduate recognized for saving life of cyclist

UNE graduate Natalie Yarid '17 (Nursing) helped save an injured cyclist
UNE graduate Natalie Yarid '17 (Nursing) helped save an injured cyclist

Natalie Yarid, B.S. ’17 (Nursing) is being credited by a cyclist for saving his life.

Liam Somers tells the Portland Press Herald and WCSH he was cycling on the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park when he slammed into the rear window of a car parked on the side of the road.

Yarid, who graduated from UNE in May 2017 and is now a nurse at Mercy Hospital in Portland, came to his assistance.

"Liam had asked me at one point while we were in the road if he was going to make it," Yarid told WCSH.

Yarid used her medical expertise to assess Somers’ condition and oversee his care until paramedics arrived.

“She was like an angel,” Somers told the Portland Press Herald.

She mostly talked to him and kept him focused.

"She was the peson that I remember keeping me calm and saving my life," Somers told WCSH.

Yarid's caring spirit was evident during her time as a student at UNE.

"Natalie impressed the nursing faculty and UNE community early in her studies through her service learning work and travel with the Ghana Health Immersion. It was clear her altruism would take her far," said UNE Director of Nursing Jennifer Morton, D.N.P., M.P.H.

After his recovery, Somers set out to find Yarid and thank her. They recently met for the first time over dinner.

Read the article in the Portland Press Herald

Watch the story on WCSH

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions