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Hero of the Week: Man dies shoveling roof, responders finish job

After cardiac arrest resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, EMS, police and fire personnel returned to the patient home to finish his shoveling off the roof

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EMS, police, and fire clearing snow off a roof after the homeowner collapsed and later died (Officer Bernie Hallums/Manchester Police Department)

Officer Bernie Hallums/Manchester Police Department

MANCHESTER, Conn. — The effort to save Miroslaw Dabrowski involved 10 first responders, a ladder truck ad an AED strapped to the patient while firefighters secured him to a backboard, placed him in a basket and lowered him from the roof.

The 57-year-old husband and father of three adult children collapsed from a heart attack while shoveling his roof, and never regained consciousness. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

An hour later, Battalion Fire Chief Robert DePietro requested permission to back to the house and finish shoveling off the man’s roof. He contacted the other first responders, who all agreed to return.

His wife Teresa thanked them for their efforts.

“He would be very appreciative that someone was looking out for his family,” she said. “We are all grateful to them.”

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