Teen Saved After Cardiac Arrest Reunites With Emergency Crews

HAMDEN, CT — West Haven’s Laci Lewis, 14, reunited with the emergency responders that helped save her life when she went into sudden cardiac arrest while at a soccer practice at the CFC Arena in Hamden this past July. Dave Clarke, head coach of the Quinnipiac women's soccer team, immediately began performing CPR on Lewis and continued until emergency crews from Squad 1 and Rescue 1 in Hamden arrived on the scene.

“They were able to initiate advanced life support and get pulses back on the field, and assist American Medical Response with patient care during transport to Yale New Haven Pediatric ER,” Hamden Professional Firefighters Local 2687 wrote in a post on Facebook. “This past Friday, November 10th, the crew was able to reunite with Laci, who has made a full recovery. We are all very happy that this call had a positive outcome!”

Laci Lewis is the daughter of John Lewis, the executive assistant to West Haven Mayor Ed O'Brien. The city hosted a free CPR training session with the American Heart Association in September in her honor.

Pictured, from left to right: Lieutenant Jeff Naples, FF/EMT Craig Smart, FF/Paramedic Tom Paranzino, FF/EMT Mike Deline, Jr., Laci Lewis, and FF/Paramedic Dave DeMarest.

Photo via Hamden Professional Firefighters Local 2687 on Facebook