Several Honored For Saving Man After Dance-Floor Heart Attack
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A group of people were honored Tuesday night for saving the life of a Coon Rapids man -- and their rescue was caught on tape.
In July, Tim Buck went into cardiac arrest while dancing with his wife, Fatima, at a concert at the Coon Rapids Dam.
"I started doing a lot of dancing. I got into it big time," Tim said.
But in a matter of seconds, the happy occasion turned into a life-saving mission.
"And then suddenly I started feeling something in my chest. After that I was gone. No recollection of what was going on," he said.
Fatima says Tim fell into her arms.
"I went into shock, I couldn't believe it," Fatima said.
You see a crowd surrounding Tim in the video, while people just feet away still don't know what's going on.
But lucky for him, enough bystanders realized it was serious.
"I ran down the steps and saw that he was purple-blue, like the color of the shirt he's wearing today," said Kris Shields.
Kris was among the first to reach Tim and she began chest compressions. She was quickly joined by Mark Snell.
"There was no pulse. He was cold," Mark said.
Others helped with CPR before park ranger Ryan Radtke brought an AED, which Kris used on Tim.
The makeshift team of rescuers kept Tim alive long enough for first responders to arrive. They were recognized Tuesday night for giving Tim a second chance at life.
"Absolutely amazing," Kris said. "I get tears in my eyes looking at him."
For Tim, it's just good to be seen, and to have a chance to watch his five grandkids grow.
"Every moment of the day, you treasure it," Tim said. "That's awesome."
Fatima says she's grateful for the quick-acting bystanders.
"They're amazing, amazing people," Fatima said. "If it wasn't for them this wouldn't be happening."
Two of Tim's rescuers had taken the Heart Safe class that Officer Bryan Platz teaches in Coon Rapids.
Every second counts during a cardiac arrest. Ninety-seven percent of victims die while waiting for help.