It was the quick action of a civilian and then Douglas police officers and firefighters that saved the life of a man who stopped breathing after he was in a car crash in September 2022.
The civilian, Marc Rousseau, said he was at his girlfriend’s house when he heard the Douglas crash. He said he thought the driver of a pickup truck, a 76-year-old Hopedale man, was dead but found him with a pulse. That pulse, however, would quickly fall flat.
“By the time police got there, his pulse had stopped,” Rousseau said.
That’s when an officer began to give the man CPR. Rousseau and the officer then went back and forth, giving the man CPR.
“He came back to life twice and they were able to get him out of the truck and help him,” Rousseau said.
On Thursday, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. awarded the civilian and nine first responders with his office’s Team Excellence and Merit — TEAM award — for their efforts to save the unidentified 76-year-old man who recovered.
“A few of these awards now involve civilians working with police, firefighters or EMS just to do the greater good,” Early said. “Sharing this singular goal together to care and help another person in need is something I’m always awestruck by.”
Those awarded Thursday were Rousseau, Douglas police officers Michael Branch and Elias Foynes and Douglas Fire Department members Deputy Chief John Furno, Assistant Chief Kelly Manning, Captain Adam Furno, Lieutenant Cory Stevens, Lieutenant Joe Overly, Firefighter Ryan Norton and firefighter Danica McCallum.
On Sept. 24, 2022, around 5:15 p.m. first responders were dispatched to the area of 94 North St. for a report of a two-car crash.
Officers Branch and Foynes arrived at the scene within minutes and found a Jeep with minor head-on damage on a lawn nearby. The driver of the Jeep was not injured, officials said.
The second vehicle, a pickup truck, was found off the road in a handicap ramp attached to 94 North St. with heavy front-end damage and the airbag deployed.
Rousseau was on the scene attempting to help the driver of the truck. Rousseau told Branch he couldn’t feel a pulse and Branch began giving the man CPR. The man received CPR for several minutes before Branch detected his pulse, just minutes before EMS arrived.
Overly and McCallum helped remove the man from his truck and “continued life-saving measures on him,” Early said.
The man was then brought to a local hospital where his physical health improved, officials said.
“We’re so fortunate to have these talented and devoted people helping to protect the citizens of our county,” Early said.
Douglas Police Chief Nick Miglionico and Douglas Fire Department Chief Kent Vinson thanked both departments and Rousseau for their help to save the man.
“We’re very fortunate here in Douglas, we have dedicated first responders who go above and beyond everyday,” Miglionico said. “It’s not everyday that we have a happy outcome like we did on this one. And thanks to Mr. Rousseau for stepping in first before the officers got there. It’s because of what every one of you did that day that that man is home with his family.”
Vinson noted that the police and fire department work hand in hand to serve the Douglas community.
“You deserve every bit of accolades that come your way,” Vinson said.
Rousseau thanked the men and women of the police and fire departments for their service.