Crime & Safety
‘Hero Crestwood Firefighter’ Gives CPR To Woman At Softball Game
Lt. John Conway, of the Crestwood Fire Department, is being hailed as hero after giving an elderly woman CPR during softball game.
MIDLOTHIAN, IL -- A veteran Crestwood firefighter/paramedic is being hailed as a hero after he assisted an elderly woman experiencing a medical event during a softball game Wednesday evening. Lt. John Conway was on deck waiting for his turn at bat at Memorial Park in Midlothian when he saw people hovering over the woman in the stands, Conway’s son Jacob said.
“I was at bat and he was on deck. We noticed that something was going on,” Jacob said. “People were hovering over a lady in the bleachers. My father dropped his bat and ran into bleachers behind home plate. He knew what to do from there.”
Lt. John Conway started doing chest compressions. The woman was barely breathing. The woman’s daughter-in-law took over and did mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Jacob said the woman regained consciousness.
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“My dad asked the required questions. She was able to give her name and date of birth,” Jacob said.
The woman was taken to the hospital for further treatment and observation. His father followed up with paramedics.
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“They were thinking possible cardiac arrest or dehydration,” Jacob said. “What was surreal was that the umpire stopped the game so that the priority was on the woman’s health.”
Jacob, who just graduated from Bremen Township High School, wants to follow in his dad’s footsteps by becoming a police officer or firefighter.
“Seeing my dad saving a life tonight has sent me in the right direction,” Jacob said. “He is one of my role models.”
Crestwood Fire Chief Jon Bruce praised Lt. Conway in a post on the fire department’s Facebook page.
“I, as chief of the department, am very proud of your actions. Even though you were off duty you did not hesitate to ‘jump’ in and help save a life. Because of your actions a life was saved. You truly made a difference today.
You shined a bright light on our department and showed what a true professional you are.”
Photo: Jacob Conway, with his far Lt. John Conway of the Crestwood Fire Department at a recent softball game. | Provided
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