Life-saving drama in courthouse as bystanders perform CPR on elderly man

Heroic response: Amareson (left) and another good Samaritan providing aid to the elderly man who collapsed at the George Town courthouse in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Lawyer V. Amareson was speaking to a friend when he heard cries for help at the court compound in Lebuh Farquhar here.

An elderly man was found unconscious on the ground, while a distressed family member stood nearby, screaming in shock and panic.

Amareson, a former St John Ambulance volunteer, rushed over and started administering chest compressions on the man, said to be in his 70s.

He and several others took turns performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the man during the incident on Thurs­day.

“The man was unconscious and we needed to keep him alive, so we took turns performing CPR. The man’s grandson even provided mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

“He eventually regained cons­ciousness and was sent to a hospital. Apparently, he had suffered a cardiac arrest,” he said.

Exhausted after the rescue, Amareson said he was relieved that several bystanders also knew how to perform CPR, as the courthouse did not have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

“Fortunately, many people stepped in to help, especially since the ambulance took a while to arrive.

“I hope more people learn CPR as you never know when someone might collapse and a life can be saved. Having an AED would have been helpful,” he said.

Another person at the scene, who declined to be named, said he had to check several neighbou­ring buildings for an AED before finding one at St George’s Anglican Church nearby.

“The man was turning blue and those doing chest compressions were getting tired.

“Luckily, he regained conscious­ness by the time the ambulance arrived.

“The courthouse should have an AED,” he said.

Penang Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi said AEDs have been installed at all state agencies and buildings, but the courts come under the Federal Govern­ment.

He said there are about 300 publicly accessible AEDs in Penang.

“It’s a state initiative to equip all state offices with AEDs.

“Although the courts are not under us, I will follow up with the Health Ministry, as it is a place where people may be stressed and an AED could be vital,” he said.