Twins fan comes back from the dead
South Trail firefighters bring a woman back to life after her heart stops
SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - 79 year-old Janice Hanson might just be the happiest patient in the Intensive Care Unit at Gulf Coast Hospital.
Just ask the two South Trail firefighter/EMT's who just visited her in the ICU.
"She was all smiles, we were smiles, she couldn't stop hugging," says EMT John Pinto.
"She was in very in great spirits, very witty, has great sense of humor, adds EMT Casey Moore.
Pinto and Moore did something that's very rare - they brought a patient from the dead.
Janice insisted on meeting - and thanking - them even though she's still hooked up to an IV and oxygen in ICU.
She and her husband have been visiting Lee county from Minnesota so they could take in some Twins spring training games.
Their pleasant vacation took a scary turn two days ago when they went shopping at Bell Tower Shops in South Fort Myers.
Janice collapsed when she went into cardiac arrest.
Her husband, Ken, was in another part of the outdoor mall when it happened.
Because he didn't know where she was, he called her cell phone.
A stranger answered.
"And she said your wife in the ground over here," says Ken.
Janice's daughter tells 4 In Your Corner her mom was slipping away as the EMT's rushed to the scene.
"When they got there, all of sudden her heart stopped," says Joan Koenig.
"So they started doing CPR - doing their job."
"Two doctors here (at Gulf Coast Hospital) told us they saved her life," says Joan.
"They said if they hadnt done such a good job she would have had brain injury, at least."
"But she's fine," adds Joan.
Even the EMT's were a bit surprised by the outcome of their quick action.
"When somebody's dead they tend to stay dead, its rare for someone to come back, when it happens its just amazing!" says Casey.
"There are no words to describe it," says John.
"I very happy I was a part of that!"
John and Casey tell 4 In Your Corner Janice "teared up" as she thanked them for saving her life. (She doesn't remember anything from that day.)
"The smile on her face said it all!" says Casey.
"It's great to know that we had the ability and trianing to provide her with another day of life," adds John.
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