'It Was A Miracle': Limerick Man Thanks Heroic First Responders

LIMERICK, PA — It was a beautiful day the Jersey shore on Oct. 2, cooler than the summer but still warm enough. The temperatures were in the mid-80s and Edward Kashmere, a Limerick resident, was spending the day in North Wildwood, New Jersey, where he owns a home.

Kashmere, 60, was enjoying a bike ride back to his home from the beach that morning when he suddenly felt something was wrong.

He recognized the symptoms of an impending heart attack almost immediately; both of his parents had suffered incidents at almost the exact same age. So he dialed 911. He would later say he remembered staying on the line as first responders approached.

North Wildwood Fire Department emergency medical technicians and AtlantiCare paramedics responded swiftly to the scene and quickly began their work. They provided advanced life support to Kashmere en route to the Heart and Vascular Institute at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus in Pomona, New Jersey.

By the time he arrived, he was able to give first responders a thumbs up and a weakened "thank you."

Months later, Kashmere was standing at the North Wildwood Council meeting and thanked the individuals who saved his life.

“Because of your long hours of training, work and professionalism, my wife is with me instead of her being alone right now,” Kashmere said. “My daughter Victoria will now have her dad to walk her down the aisle some day and my son James will have his dad with him to enjoy the many things that a father does with his son. All of your efforts made this happen.”

Kashmere's daughter made boxes of cookies for the first responders, and decorated them with the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Star of Life logo.

North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello also recognized the heroes with his thanks during the meeting.