Paramedics were transporting a patient who had suffered cardiac arrest in the street. As EMS workers moved through Van Dyke Avenue off Hillsborough Street, the ambulance was not able to make it up a steep hill due to the fast falling snow.
Supervisors with four-wheel drive units were called to the scene to transfer the patient to the hospital. That's when officials said approximately about 30 citizens jumped into action by assisting EMS staff to physically carry the patient to the top of the hill to meet the waiting EMS vehicle.
Not only did the citizens assist in carrying the patient to the waiting vehicle, but they also assisted EMS personnel in transferring equipment from the relief vehicle to make sure there was adequate space to transport the patient.
"Wake County EMS would like to offer our sincerest thank you to those that helped us on Van Dyke, and all over Wake County through the storm," said Jeffrey Hammerstein, District Chief with Wake County EMS. "We often hear words of thanks from residents for being out working during severe weather, but we truly could not do our jobs without the support of those around us in the community."
After the victim was taken to Rex Hospital, the same citizens used shovels and kitty litter to help get the ambulance unstuck.
EMS officials are asking anyone who may have recorded video of the rescue to make them a copy so they can identify the good Samaritans.
The victim was last listed in critical but stable condition.
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