(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — While there was plenty of teamwork on the field for the University of Illinois’ homecoming football game this past weekend, some teamwork off the field helped save a man’s life.
“It could’ve been a totally different outcome,” said University of Illinois Officer Tara Hurless. “I’m just really proud of everybody involved.”
Hurless, who played soccer at the university and even made it into Illinois’ sports hall of fame, now has a new legacy on campus after this weekend, after she and fellow officer Chris Williams noticed a fan who had gone into cardiac arrest hours before Saturday’s game kicked off.
“I just ran right up to him,” Hurless said. “I told him we needed to get him down to the floor because I felt like he was going to be going in and out of consciousness.”
Thanks to a series of chest compressions from Hurless and others, as well as the use of an AED, the man was awake and alert when paramedics arrived.
“I believe his name was Greg,” Hurless said. “He was saying, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine. I want to go to the game.’ The paramedics told him, ‘Sir, you just died twice. You’re going to the hospital.’”
Williams said comforting the man’s family was also a top priority.
“I wanted to make sure that they knew that he was going to be okay, and I wanted to make sure that they were doing okay, as well,” he said.
The man is said to be recovering well at a hospital, and Williams said without help from Hurless, University of Illinois trainers and other bystanders, the story might have had a different ending.
“This was a complete team effort into trying to save this gentleman’s life,” Williams said. “I couldn't be more proud of everyone involved.”
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