EMS Worker Released From Hospital After Rupturing Aneurysm While Helping Colleague
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – An FDNY EMS lieutenant was released from the hospital today after suffering a ruptured aneurysm while helping a colleague.
Lt. Raymond Wang, 47, has been recovering at Mount Sinai Hospital since Oct. 17, reports CBS2's Christina Fan.
WEB EXTRA: Watch Lt. Wang Leave Mount Sinai Hospital
Authorities said Wang sprang into action when Liam Glinane, a 63-year-old medical technician, had a stroke while driving an ambulance and crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.
Once on the scene, Wang jumped out to help his unconscious colleague and suffered a ruptured aneurysm that doctors say is fatal for 20% of patients.
"Mr. Wang had a particularly severe form of it, where he was in a life-threatening condition when he arrived here," Dr. Stephen Waterford told reporters Wednesday. "His lungs and heart were not working and he had no blood flow to his right leg."
Fortunately, a physician was riding in Wang's ambulance at the time and treated both EMTs until they were transported to the hospital.
"Being in an ambulance and being part of a rescue team himself, I think it helped a lot getting him to the hospital in a timely fashion," Dr. Percy Boateng added.
The chain of events was so bizarre, even the surgeons were stunned by the backstory.
"I had no clue what was really going on. I just know I showed up in the ICU and there were 50 firemen there," said Waterford.
Doctors said Wang is expected to make a make full recovery and is already itching to get back on duty.
Glinane is still in recovery at Mount Sinai Hospital, but is said to be in good spirits.
