Good Samaritans, defibrillator credited in North Station rescue

February 26, 2009 04:16 PM Email| Comments (4)| Text size – +

By Stewart Bishop, Globe Correspondent

A 53-year-old North Andover man's condition is improving today after he collapsed Wednesday at North Station in Boston and was revived with the help of bystanders, police officers, and a recently installed defibrillator, the MBTA said today.

The man was sitting near Track 10 in the lobby area of the station at about 7 p.m. when he collapsed, according to a police report. He had suffered a cardiac arrest, said Transit Police Lieutenant Robert Lenehan. Three bystanders -- two nurses and an emergency room technician who was also a National Guard medic -- rushed to his aid and began performing CPR.

Two transit police officers noticed the commotion. One ran to retrieve one of the newly installed automated external defibrillator devices, which deliver electrical shocks to revive victims of cardiac arrest. The good Samaritans continued CPR and used the defibrillator until an ambulance arrived, Lenehan said.

The victim was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital. He is listed in good condition today.

"The quick action of witnesses who initiated CPR and used the MBTA's [defibrillator] was essential to keeping this man alive before paramedics arrived on scene. There was an excellent team effort by all parties last night," Boston EMS spokeswoman Jennifer Mehigan said in a statement.

State transportation officials announced this month that more than 30 defibrillators had been installed on commuter trains and plans called for 84 to be installed by the end of spring.

» Back to Front Page

4 comments so far...

boston EMS union heads will probably try to sue the MBTA and those who helped save the victims life because they will say they are stealing their work.

Posted by cityhall8thfloor February 26, 09 10:00 PM

I'm so glad to hear the guy is doing well. I was sitting on the bench across from him when he collapsed and it scared the hell out of me! The outlook didn't seem good at the time, so I'm thrilled to hear he pulled through. I'm glad they're adding more defibrillators to their arsenal, because they didn't come up with it nearly as fast as people would have liked that night because they aren't on all trains.
anyways, glad to see a happy ending.

Posted by moi February 27, 09 02:02 AM

I had a coffee yesterday early evening with my daughter who said she was directly across from the guy when he went down. She was a bit taken back at how life and death hits you figuring the man was most likely dead looking at the condition and color of the man. I am sure the fact that he is in good condition this morning will cheer her up! Nice work all of you!

Posted by bartlett February 27, 09 04:42 AM

This is a nice story. We need more news like this.

Posted by impressed February 27, 09 12:50 PM