Cops: First responders use CPR to save man in cardiac arrest

Emergency responders revived a 42-year-old man in cardiac arrest Sunday morning in Quiogue, responding police officers administering CPR on the victim until an ambulance crew was able to restore his heartbeat with a defibrillator.

Police said the man, whose identity was not released, is recovering at the Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead.

The incident was reported in a 911 call at 9:13 a.m. Sunday.

Southampton Town police said officer Robert Brown, a 26-year veteran of the department, arrived to find the victim without a pulse. Brown and responding Westhampton Beach police Officer Mark Yakaboski, an eight-year veteran, then began to administer CPR to the victim — while a Quogue Village police officer, Daniel Bennett, a nine-year veteran, attached the man to a defibrillator.

The officers continued their efforts to revive the victim and a crew from Westhampton Ambulance then arrived and continued the CPR until the combined efforts of the responders finally resuscitated the man — and got him back breathing on his own. He was then transported.

It was not immediately clear what type of medical episode caused the incident, police said.

Police said family members were present and said the responders “ultimately saved the patient’s life.”

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”