Heart attack at the wheel

A passenger took control of the wheel after her partner had a heart attack while driving, potentially saving her life and those of three children in the back seat.

The driver died, despite the efforts of police and others who gave CPR for an hour.

The Far North drama played out around 10am yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Ian Row said the woman’s “miraculous” actions had likely saved lives.

“There was massive potential for huge damage to other people,” Row said.

The couple had one of their children and two grandchildren in the car with them as they drove on State Highway 1 between Moerewa and Ohaeawai about 10am yesterday.

Police officers raced from the stopped car to a dairy in Ohaeawai for the defibrillator.

Row said those present thought they had saved the man because he was breathing unassisted.

“He was trying to stay in the game.” Row praised the Ohaeawai Dairy for having a defibrillator.

“The more places that have these machines, the better. They can’t save anybody if they’re not there.”

Dairy owner Layde WIlliams said she only realised something serious was going on when someone raced into the shop, took the defibrillator from the wall and raced out again.

They had had the device was donated to the rpevious owner by St John about four years ago.

Ohaeawai-Taiamai Residents’ Association chairwoman Tracey Albert, who was at the shop, said the defibrillator had been organised because of the crashes near the village. She said it was the second time it had been needed and in the previous case had saved the patient’s life.