The story of a Western New York teenager and a nurse who saved eachother's lives, seven years apart, has many questioning if this was more than chance.

Penny Brown saved Kevin Stephan's life seven years ago on an Amherst baseball diamond. Kevin had been accidentally hit in the chest with a bat, and his heart stopped. Penny happened to be at that game and performed C.P.R. on Kevin.

One week ago, Penny began to choke while having lunch with her family at the Hillview Restaurant in Depew, where Kevin happens to work. A junior firefighter, he is trained in first aid and successfully performed the Heimlich Maneuver on Penny.

Chance? Or is there more to this story?

"It's pretty extraordinary," Penny said.

Kevin said the experience has strengthened his faith.

"I do believe that there was a higher power that set this up," he said.

Dr. Phil Stevens, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University at Buffalo said it is natural for people to search for deeper meaning in such cases.

"I've heard people talk about divine intervention, providence, cosmic connections, fate, and so on, and cultures all over the world use these concepts to explain what others, including me, are statisfied with explaining with principals of chance and coincidence," Dr. Stevens said. He added, "I thought it was a terrific story. It was inspirational."

Kevin said the experience, though it has changed his outlook on life, has not changed his plans for the future. The Lancaster High School junior wants to study meteorology at Brockport, and also serve in the U.S. Navy.