Seizing Cyclist Saved By Westfield Responders

WESTFIELD, NJ - A group of fast-acting Westfield first responders put their training to use to save the life of a cyclist who had a seizure Sunday, according to authorities.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday the Westfield Police Department Communications Center was notified of a female bicyclist having a seizure in Tamaques Park, police said. Officer Gregory Penn, the Westfield Rescue Squad and Atlantic Paramedics were immediately dispatched.

Four minutes later, as Penn was arriving at Tamaques Park, a 911 call reported that the female was now unresponsive, not breathing and that bystanders were beginning CPR, police said. Officer Christopher Santangelo was then dispatched as a backup unit and arrived shortly thereafter. Penn and Santangelo continued CPR and connected an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the patient as the Westfield Rescue Squad arrived, police said.

A few minutes later, as Atlantic Paramedics arrived, first responders delivered two shocks from the AED to the patient while continuing CPR. The patient was then transported to the hospital with pulses regained, police said.

According to authorities, the patient is now awake and breathing on her own.

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