In 1967, a routine workday for a utility crew in Florida turned into a life-or-death moment that would later become one of the most recognized images in photojournalism history. Photographer Rocco Morabito happened to be nearby when utility worker Randall G. Champion came into contact with a high-voltage power line and lost consciousness, left suspended in his safety harness nearly 30 feet above the ground.

Witnesses said there was a brief moment of shock as Randall hung motionless. But his co-worker, J.D. Thompson, did not hesitate. Without waiting for instructions, Thompson climbed the utility pole, navigating dangerous wires and the risk of electrical exposure. When he reached Randall, he secured himself against the pole and began administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, determined to keep his colleague alive.

Morabito, standing on the street below, recognized the gravity of what was unfolding and raised his camera. He captured a single frame that would later be titled “The Kiss of Life”—an image showing one man sustaining another, suspended between earth and sky. The photograph would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize and is still regarded as one of the most powerful images ever taken.

Moments after Thompson’s efforts, Randall’s heart began to respond. Emergency teams arrived shortly afterward, and he survived the incident. Remarkably, he returned to work the following week, a recovery that many later described as extraordinary.

Randall’s parents spoke publicly about the incident in later years, expressing both shock and gratitude. His father reportedly said, “When we heard what happened, we feared the worst. Knowing that someone refused to give up on our son means more to us than words can explain.” His mother added, “That photograph doesn’t just show a rescue. It shows love, courage, and a choice to fight for another human being.”

The story behind the image has continued to resonate for decades, often cited in discussions about workplace safety, emergency response, and everyday heroism. While Morabito’s photograph earned international recognition, many have emphasized that its true power lies in the actions it captured rather than the award it received.

Today, “The Kiss of Life” stands not only as a milestone in photography, but as a reminder of what can happen when instinct, compassion, and bravery come together in a single moment.