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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA driver was having a seizure so a good Samaritan leapt into the moving car to save him
Police in Dixon, Ill., released dashcam video showing a man stop his truck in the middle of traffic, jump out and leap through the passenger window of a moving car to save a driver who was having a seizure. (AP)
Dramatic dash cam video shows a car creep through a red traffic signal at a busy intersection in northern Illinois, forcing other vehicles to slam on the brakes and let it pass.
It approached 39-year-old Randy Tompkins, who was driving a pickup truck late last week in Dixon, about 100 miles west of Chicago. Tompkins threw his truck in reverse to avoid a head-on collision, then jumped out of his truck and leapt through the passenger-side window of the moving car, police said.
The brake lights flashed red and the car jolted to a stop.
Tompkins told the Chicago Tribune he had realized the driver was having a seizure and he knew what he needed to do.
He had his arms up by his chest, he told the newspaper. I didnt know if the guy was gonna push the gas, jerk the wheel or whatever, so I waited as long as I could to back up, Tompkins said. Once he got about a half-car length away from me, I parked my truck at an angle and jumped out of my vehicle.
He put two fingers into the drivers mouth to keep him from swallowing his tongue, according to the Chicago Tribune.
I did that really fast, and then I stopped the car, he said. I was worried, but I would do that for anybody. It just happened to be I was at the right place at the right time.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/06/06/a-driver-was-having-a-seizure-so-a-good-samaritan-leapt-into-the-moving-car-to-save-him/?wpisrc=nl_optimist&wpmm=1
Dramatic Video at link
In case a big burning trumpster fire has got you down. There's still hope for humanity. Lots of good people still exist.
kstewart33
(6,551 posts)There are good people all around us. Thanks so much for posting.
MuseRider
(34,120 posts)if you are in a situation like this NEVER put your fingers in the mouth of someone having a seizure. That is the fastest way to lose your fingers. In general I have see a whole lot of seizures and never seen anyone swallow their tongue. You can put something in their mouth to keep them from biting their tongue.
retired CCRN advice of the day
Great story though. I am glad he helped and really glad he still has his fingers. He is a brave man and I am always grateful to read about people like this.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)It is a bad idea to go anywhere near a person's mouth when they're having a seizure. People who have them know that biting their tongue is just part of it.
MuseRider
(34,120 posts)I have been retired from that business for quite a long while and could not remember for sure. I was pretty certain I was right that it was impossible but at my age I have begun to forget things like that. We had special padded sticks to use so their teeth would be safe as well. Thank you!
Kittycow
(2,396 posts)..nor the physical agility to get through the window.
I'm so impressed by this man's actions and hope that he's officially recognized .
What a guy !