Brave Atlanta Police Officers Save Unconscious Motorist with Narcan
In a stunning display of quick thinking and resourcefulness, Atlanta police officers saved the life of an unconscious driver by breaking a car window and administering a potentially life-saving Narcan shot.
The Incident – Call to an Auto Accident
On the evening of February 9, first responders rushed to the scene of an automobile accident at the crossroads of Peters Street and McDaniel Street. En route, officers were informed by dispatch that a witness on the scene reported a potential medical emergency.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a crashed Buick sedan, its doors locked with a man thought to be unconscious at the driver’s console. Fearful for the man’s safety, one of the responding officers used his baton to shatter the passenger window. The swift action resulted in minor injury to the officer but facilitated access to the vehicle and the unconscious driver.
Life-Saving Measures
Once officers could reach the driver, they detected signs of an opioid overdose. The fast-acting officers retrieved a dose of Narcan – an emergency treatment used in cases of suspected opioid overdose – from their patrol vehicle and promptly administered the drug to the unconscious male.
The body camera video captured the subsequent moments as the unconscious driver regained consciousness. “He’s starting to look around,” a backup officer can be heard remarking in the background of the video.
Team Effort to Save a Life
After a successful attempt to stabilize the unconscious driver, medics arrived and took over the scene. The individual was then transported to a nearby hospital for more extensive medical treatments.
In a statement regarding the incident, the Atlanta Police Department expressed pride and gratitude for the first responders’ swift actions. “This incident is a great example of first responders working together to help save the life of one of our citizens,” the department said.
The Use of Narcan in this Instance
Narcan, regarded as a crucial tool in the fight against the opioid crisis, is designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Its deployment by officers during this incident highlights the increasing importance of law enforcement officers being equipped with emergency medical responses. The successful use of Narcan in this life-threatening situation underscores the critical need for widespread training and the availability of key life-saving equipments like this drug across all first response departments.