BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Good Samaritan and first responders administered life-saving care following an incident that began on the 198 and ended on the 190 on Tuesday evening.
A Buffalo Public Schools teacher, James Damon, was driving on the Scajaquada Expressway when his vehicle was clipped by another car. Frustrated, Damon followed the vehicle, which he said was driving erratically, onto the 190 SB. Damon soon realized the woman was suffering from a medical emergency and needed help and called 911.
Damon says the driver hit the center median on the 190 near Niagara Street, and her vehicle stopped. He got out of his vehicle and discovered she did not have a pulse. He said he pulled her out and began CPR.
At that moment, Erie County Sheriff's detective Jonathan Hanna, a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Instructor, arrived at the scene and saw Damon attempting to pull the female driver out of her vehicle.
Det. Hanna then took over CPR as Damon helped open the victim's airway.
Deputy Kyle Hoffman, ESCO Medical Response Unit, arrived at the scene and began helping with CPR. Deputy Hoffman brought his ECSO Medical Kit to stabilize the victim's airway, and assembled a bag valve mask, as Det. Zamorek arrived at the scene.
Zamorek, ECSO Medical Response Unit, notified dispatch by radio and took over rescue breaths and necks stablization. A New York State Trooper also pulled up to the scene and administered Narcan.
The first responders were able to establish a pulse and transported the female driver to the hospital.
As of today, the ECSO says the victim is in stable condition following a drug overdose.
Buffalo School Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams issued this statement about Damon:
"I am so very proud of the heroic efforts of Mr. James Damon, a BPS teacher. His selfless and courageous acts helped save the life of a stranger in need. Everyone should learn CPR; you never know when you could save a life. During this season of giving, it’s heartwarming to hear that Mr. Damon, who teaches at Emerson School of Hospitality, PS 302, quickly and selflessly acted to save a fellow Western New Yorker's life and about the importance of knowing CPR. This act of bravery reinforces that Buffalo is truly a “City of Good Neighbors.”