On Sept. 5, 2013, what happened to Deal resident Renee Sutton could happen to anyone – she suffered a heart condition. But what was different was that she was walking on Ocean Avenue in Deal and collapsed into the street.
“God was really with me on that day,” she said earlier this week.
Sutton, now 76, was walking home from a family event when she suddenly collapsed at the intersection of Ocean and Lawrence Avenues.
“Thank God I was in a public area or I think people may have never found me,” she said.
Sutton’s heart had stopped. She had no pulse and was dying even though she had been to her doctor in the previous few weeks with no major problems detected.
“My main artery was mostly clogged. It was just a freak thing; a piece of plaque just traveled there,” she said.
Immediately Deal police and first aid squads responded, blocked off the road, and used a defibrillator and other medical devices to help resuscitate Sutton. She was then taken to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch for treatment.
“I was in a daze and out of it but they took fantastic care of me. People should be aware that this can happen at any time,” she said.
Last week, Sutton honored and paid tribute to those people who helped save her life at the Deal Borough Council meeting.
“They were all unbelievable. The Hatzalah just dropped everything and ran into action. I have had experiences with them in the past and I still feel they are unbelievable,” she said.
“The police responded- everybody was fabulous. Two lifeguards and others helped me and I would love to know who they are. I wish I did- they saved my life,” she said.
Sutton said she now feels like she has a new lease on life
“Without all of these people I never would have made it- no two ways about it,” she said.
Recognized at Borough Hall last week for their prompt response to Sutton’s emergency were Deal Police officers Captain Earl Alexander, Sgt. Brian Egan, Sgt. William Hulse and Patrolman Brad Kerney.
Also recognized were Hatzalah Jersey Shore Division and Deal First Aid Squad members Avi Aboud, Ronnie Shamah, David Belhassen, Max Dushey, Elliot Douek and Bobby Tawil.
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