Local

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: First responders administer lifesaving CPR, shot after man collapses

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Police officers and medics were able to revive an unresponsive man in a Washington parking lot Wednesday after a Channel 11 News photographer noticed the man slumped over in his car, pulled him out and began CPR before calling 911.

  • CLICK HERE to watch raw video of the dramatic rescue

Channel 11 News photographer Dave Clark said as he was preparing for a news segment at 6 p.m., he noticed a man slumped over his steering wheel and not breathing.

“I look back, his head’s back. He's purple,” Clark said. “I tried shaking him, yelling, ‘Hey, dude.’”

Clark pulled the man out of his car and began performing CPR, while Channel 11 News reporter Cara Sapida dialed 911.

FREE APPS | NOW | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

“I’m thinking, ‘OK, if we can just keep a pulse going till the paramedics get here, we'll be cool.’ But his pulse got weaker and weaker,” Clark said.

Washington Police Chief Chris Lupino told Channel 11 News that when officers arrived, they took over compressions. He said the man was eventually revived after paramedics realized the man had overdosed on heroin and administered a dose of Narcan.

“Seconds later, they gave him Narcan and his eyes were bright blue and wide open,” Clark said.

An officer at the scene said if it weren’t for Clark beginning CPR prior to their arrival, the man likely would have died.

“Your cameraman originally brought his pulse back,” Washington Police Officer Matt Karlowsky said. “He probably would've died if your crew wasn't there.”

Clark said he hopes the man will do good things with his second chance and had a message to share with others.

“Don't even give it a first chance to get a second chance,” he said. “If anybody saw what I saw, you wouldn't want to even touch the stuff. You’d be afraid to get it on your skin.”

Lupino said officers at the scene discovered what they believed to be heroin in the man’s car.

“We have been getting a high amount of overdoses in the last month,” he said.

Lupino said so far they haven’t been able to narrow down the source to a certain stamp bag or dealer.

Authorities were unable to provide an update on the man’s condition after he was taken from the scene to a hospital.

Late last year, state lawmakers passed a bill making Narcan available to first responders and others.

At this time, about 20 police departments in the Greater Pittsburgh area carry Narcan, including state police and the Westmoreland County Sheriff's Department.

In May, the Allegheny County Health Department also started allowing pharmacies to distribute Narcan to people without a prescription, making it available to anyone who may be in a position to save someone from an overdose.

Washington County Emergency Services Head Jeff Yates said only paramedics in the county can administer Narcan, not EMTs.

“Right now, what our plan is, is to run several training programs in the next couple weeks for police, fire and EMS to get Narcan out to them, so they have it at their disposal,” Yates said.

Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone told Channel 11 News that thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, he wants to arm every single law enforcement officer in the county with Narcan in a matter of weeks.

“Our goal is to have county wide coverage in the next two weeks,” he said.Cheryl Andrews, the executive director of the Washington County Drug and Alcohol Commission, applauded the new program, saying that one in every four families is affected by what she calls a “public health epidemic.”

“We have got to stop the epidemic. We have got to stop people from dying,” she said.

Andrews said step one is getting rid of the stigma attached to heroin.

“These people, many of them didn't start out shooting heroin. They had a legitimate pain prescription,” she said.

According to the latest statistics, heroin and opioid overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania, killing more people than car accidents.

Last year, more than 800 heroin-related deaths were reported statewide.

Anyone wanting to learn more about the importance of CPR and where to get trained can utilize the resources listed below:

Additionally, anyone seeking resources on drug use can visit the links below: 

RELATED CONTENT:

WPXI

0
Comments on this article
0

Most Read