U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Huntingdon border crossing helped save the life of a 56-year-old Canadian man on Monday.
The Kamloops man and his wife arrived at the border to cross from Abbotsford into Sumas in the U.S. at about 3:30 p.m.
They were in a motorhome destined for a four-month winter tour of the U.S., when, during a routine secondary screening, the man collapsed to the floor and was gasping for breath.
Supervisory CBP officer Nicholas Sowell and CBP officers Randy Mulanax and Douglas Stuit immediately began rendering CPR.
CBP officer Heather Hentz notified 911, requesting emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
CBP officers and a responding Sumas Police Department officer continued CPR until the EMTs arrived at 3:45 p.m.
Sowell retrieved the port’s automated external defibrillator (AED) and when the EMTs arrived, they used the AED three times before transporting the victim by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham.
“The quick and professional response by CBP personnel in Sumas saved this man’s life,” said CBP’s Sumas port director J. Rene Ortega.
“The heroic actions of all involved exemplify the collaboration between CBP, local law enforcement and first responders to protect and serve our communities and our visitors.”
The heart attack victim remains hospitalized in Bellingham.