Naugatuck Responders Honored For Saving Boy's Life

NAUGATUCK/WATERBURY, CT — A frightening medical emergency late last month at a Naugatuck school involving a 10-year-old boy ultimately turned out for the best.

And on Wednesday night, those involved in saving the Naugatuck boy's life were honored at Waterbury Hospital for stepping up and doing their jobs to the fullest extent.

Waterbury Hospital sponsored a ceremony to "credit the quick action of the first responders as being the defining factor in the positive outcome of this incident," according to a Naugatuck Police Department statement.

"Hospital staff said that, due to the lifesaving efforts of Maple Hill School staff, Naugatuck Police, and EMS, this 10-year-old boy has survived this harrowing ordeal and he was able to present the first responders with an award recognizing their service," reads the police department statement.

Honored at a ceremony full of hugs and smiles were the responding police officers and Naugatuck Emergency Medical Services staff that, literally, saved the boy's life.

The young survivor, who was not identified by Naugatuck police or Waterbury Hospital officials, was on hand to personally greet and thank the responders.

The scary event started at around noon April 28, when Naugatuck police were dispatched to, in in the words of the department, "arguably one of the worst types of calls we can receive."

Police said a 10-year-old boy collapsed at Maple Hill Elementary School in Naugatuck and was unresponsive and not breathing.

Naugatuck Police Sgt. Michael Deely with Officers Marc Robinson and Danielle Durette were sent with Naugatuck EMS crews to the site. Meanwhile, school staff had begun CPR on the child, police said.

According to police, Robinson arrived on scene within 10 seconds of being dispatched to this call and immediately took lead on assuming life-saving measures like CPR and defibrillation.

Deely, Durette and Naugatuck EMS arrived just minutes later and, working as a team, they continued efforts to treat the boy, who was transported to Waterbury Hospital by Naugatuck EMS.

Eventually, according to Waterbury Hospital officials, the boy was transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven.

Wednesday's ceremony was part of Waterbury Hospital's celebration of EMS Week, with several activities taking place to honor those whose job is to save lives.

"First responders are a vital link between patient and to our doctors and nurses in the emergency room," said Waterbury Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Justin Lundbye. "They're heroes to their communities and patients and, along with hospital and other frontline workers, have worked long hours during the Covid-19 pandemic doing what they do best — saving lives."

Naugatuck police posted photos and words about the ceremony on its Facebook page.

"The Naugatuck Police Department is proud of all those involved in this situation that acted swiftly, professionally, and worked together to do their part to save this young boy’s life. In a critical medical emergency such as this, it is not often that first responders get to see a happy ending," reads a Naugatuck Police Department statement. "Today our officers were truly humbled and honored to have been formally introduced to this amazing young man and his family."

To view the Naugatuck Police Department's Facebook post on the ceremony, visit this link.