EXCLUSIVE: Police, FBI, Medics Save 2 Runners' Lives At Broad Street Run
By Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- For two runners, the 36th Annual Broad Street Run became a race for life as a Philadelphia police officer, three FBI agents and Philadelphia Fire Department medics save their lives as they collapsed unconscious with heart problems at two different spots in the 10-mile course.
In exclusive interviews, Philadelphia Police Officer Matt Fleming, assigned to the Homeland Security Unit, and FBI Agent Brian Hoffman told how they, along with two fellow FBI agents, revived a runner who had collapsed near Broad and Lehigh, barely two miles into the race.
FBI video obtained exclusively by CBS 3 shows Officer Fleming, Agent Hoffman and fellow agents, performing CPR and using a defibrillator to bring the unconscious runner back to life.
A short time later, a second runner collapsed from heart problem moments after crossing the finish line. Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan, who leads the Homeland Security Unit, described how after the runner dropped to the ground in front of him and two medics, they instantly went into action, getting the runner breathing again.
Chief Inspector Sullivan told CBS 3's Walt Hunter that Officer Fleming and Agent Hoffman are both EMT's, part of a police FBI team that is assigned to the Broad Street Run and other major events like the July 4th Celebration.
Sullivan says he's optimistic, based on initial medical reports, both runners are now on their way to full recoveries, adding he hopes, if they are inclined, "they'll be back in the race next year."
FBI Agent Hoffman, a seven-year veteran, also telling Hunter that being there to provide lifesaving help at the moment it was needed, was, in the agent's words, "very gratifying."