By EMS1 Staff
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — A photojournalist on assignment thanked a paramedic for saving his life.
WBIR.com reported that photographer Michael Patrick was at the Dollywood theme park March 17 to get a sneak peak of a new ride.
“We had lunch, shot a show and were headed to the next event,” Patrick said. “I’m told I got there and collapsed, fell to the ground and busted my head open.”
Dollywood employees administered CPR until park paramedics arrived. Andrew Pratt, who works with Dollywood’s medical team and is a critical care paramedic for AMR, responded to the scene.
“I’m still processing the fact that I fell over dead, there’s no way around it. And if it had not been for them being there, trained, prepared and equipped I would still be,” Patrick said.
Patrick said his descending aorta was blocked, causing his heart to stop beating, according to the report.
“When I got there, three of our Dollywood employees were doing very high quality CPR. They had an AED applied, getting ready to administer a shock,” Pratt said. “After the shock was delivered, I checked for a carotid pulse, strong pulse.”
Patrick was transported to a hospital, where he stayed for several days. After he was released, Patrick met with Pratt to express his gratitude to those who helped save his life.