TSA agent in Juneau saves family trip to hospital

Published 10:50 am Thursday, September 12, 2019

Quick action by a local Transportation and Security Administration agent saved one local family from a trip to the hospital Wednesday afternoon, according to James Studley who contacted the Empire via email.

The Studley family of Haines — James, Janice and Nicole — were traveling through Juneau International Airport on their way to a wedding in California when the family’s daughter began choking on a grape, Studley said.

But thanks to the quick reflexes of TSA Lead Officer Brenda Irizarry the grape was dislodged from Nicole’s throat and the Studleys were able to safely continue their journey.

“We are extremely thankful to the excellent training that Brenda has obviously received,” Studley said in an email.

Nicole Studley, 26, has multiple physical disabilities, James Studley said, and recently recovered from a five-week stay at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

The Empire was notified of the incident by James Studley who sent photos by email Wednesday.

“Thought a good deed should not go unspoken,” James said in an email to Empire. “Thank you TSA Brenda.”

The TSA could not be reached for comment by the end of business hours Wednesday.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at 523-2228 or psegall@juneauempire.com.