Off-Duty EMTs, Cops Save Man's Life At Toms River Gym

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Officials are praising the lifesaving actions of four off-duty first responders who saved a man's life at the Toms River LA Fitness.

Shortly before 4 p.m. on Aug. 13, police were dispatched to the gym on Hooper Avenue for a reported medical emergency with CPR in progress.

When Toms River police arrived on the scene, they found that two off-duty EMTs who were working out at the time, Dylan Tortorelli and Josh Menack, were already performing CPR on a man who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while exercising, police said.

Two off-duty Toms River police officers, Alex Van Lew and Charlie Grainger, also happened to be in the gym at the time and were using an automated external defibrillator, or AED on the man, police said.

"Moments later, the patient awakened, regaining consciousness and began to breathe on his own," police said.

Silverton First Aid and RWJ Paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital for further treatment. As of Wednesday, police said they were "very happy" to share that he is now home.

Tortorelli was just sworn in as a full-time officer with the Neptune Township Police Department on Monday, and serves as an EMT in Manchester.

Menack is a volunteer with the Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Squad and a Seaside Heights Beach Patrol Lifeguard and EMT.

"We'd like to commend them, and everyone who jumped into action and rendered aid to help save a stranger's life," Toms River police said.