Watch CBS News

2 NJ Troopers Credited With Helping Save Man's Life By Performing CPR On Turnpike

MT. LAUREL, NJ (CBS) – Police are lauding the efforts of two troopers who are credited with saving a man's life on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Authorities say around 2:21 p.m. Thursday, Troopers Odean Hansel and Ryan Kauffmann responded to a crash northbound at milepost 36.9 in Mount Laurel Township.

"We got a call from a mother driving her daughter back from college and she was on the phone with 911 and telling us he was gasping for air and he was unconscious," said Trooper Ryan Kauffmann.

Upon arrival, the troopers found an unresponsive man in his vehicle on the left shoulder.

Police say troopers Hansel and Kauffman immediately began performing CPR and used an AED defibrillator until paramedics arrived.

"What we had to do was open the back hatch of the SUV, lower the rear seats and actually lower the seat he was in and we had to pull him out of the back to get him onto the ground to start CPR," said Trooper Kauffmann.

Authorities say the man then regained a pulse and was taken to Virtua Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

"That's a blessed day. I was just so happy that Trooper Ryan Kauffmann and I were there," said Trooper Odean Hansel.

CBS 3 Eyewitness News has learned the man was taken to a hospital in Philadelphia where he is in Intensive Care.

No word on the man's identity at this time.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.