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Off-Duty New Westminster Constable helps save the life of hockey player

New Westminster – Off-duty New Westminster Police Department Constable Curtis Heath was arriving early to see his son’s hockey game in Coquitlam when he noticed a crowd of people gathered in the middle of the ice. It wasn’t until he made it around the rink that he realized someone was doing CPR on a 27 year old hockey player who had collapsed on the ice due to a cardiac arrest.

As Constable Heath rushed across the ice he could see that the person doing CPR was trying their best but needed assistance. Constable Heath identified himself and relieved the person who was performing CPR. With the help of a recent graduate from the Justice Institute of British Columbia Paramedic Academy, they were able to stabilize the individual on the ice and continue doing CPR until another individual arrived with an AED. The hockey player was defibrillated twice and Constable Heath continued to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived.

“My training and instincts kind of kicked in, and I did everything I could to save this man,” said Constable Heath. “I chose this line of work to help people, and it’s a 24/7 job. It’s nice that I was able to be there for a fellow hockey player.”

The patient was transported to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

“We’re proud that Constable Heath was able to apply the skills he learned for his job and use them to safe this young man’s life,” said New Westminster Police Chief Dave Jones. “I would like to personally commend all those involved for their action.”

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