AWARDS FOR OUR LIFESAVING TRIO
THREE strangers who pulled together to save a man’s life are being reunited today to honour their efforts.
Train driver Darcy Hutchinson and nurse Bruce Killey, of Lara, were sitting either side of 61-year-old Bill Patterson at the Lara Railway Station last November when the physicist’s heart suddenly stopped.
The pair – who quickly realised Mr Patterson was in trouble – jumped into action, lying him on the platform and commencing CPR.
“We watched him closely for a little bit and could see he wasn’t breathing normally. He was choking as he breathed,” Mr Killey recalled.
While Mr Hutchinson was alerting V/Line staff to call 000, Lara’s Pamela Davis, who had recently completed firstaid training, walked on to the platform and immediately noticed Mr Patterson on the ground.
She took turns with Mr Killey performing CPR until an ambulance arrived and took Mr Patterson to hospital in a critical condition.
Lara paramedics Matthew Buckley and Shaun Crocos nominated the humble trio for their quick response and effective CPR to keep the blood flow and oxygen going to Mr Patterson’s brain.
Today, they will be awarded Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards for their efforts.
A year on, Mr Patterson, who spent six days in a coma following the incident, has returned to work and is grateful to have no permanent damage after his brush with death.
“If they didn’t act so quickly, who knows what my outcome might have been,” he said.
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Tony Walker said bystanders could be the difference to someone’s chances of survival in the first critical minutes of an emergency, by providing first aid while paramedics were on the way.
“I’m extremely proud of our paramedics’ world-class skills and the work they do to save lives across Victoria every day,” Mr Walker said.
“However, our heroes demonstrate that we don’t do our work alone.
“It takes a community and I really couldn’t be prouder of our heroes and the stories we’ve heard.
“Knowing first aid, learning CPR and teaching children when and how to call 000 is something everyone can do — and it could make all the difference when faced with a life or death situation.”
This year marks the 18th year of Ambulance Victoria’s Community Hero Awards.
This year, 15 Victorians will be honoured for their incredible bravery and selfless actions to save lives.