Police revive man with defibrillator at Mendham Twp. parade

Police employed a portable defibrillator to save the life of a man who collapsed at the annual Fourth of July parade, according to Mendham Township police.

The man was a parade participant who had just finished marching and was headed back to his car, Lt. Ross Johnson told the Daily Record. He was not a township resident, Johnson said.

According to the township police report, Patrolman Doug Large was conducting parade-traffic control at the intersection of East Main Street and Tingley Road about 10:30 a.m. when he observed a man collapse about 50 yards from his position. Large immediately requested EMS assistance while he began to provide patient care to the unconscious 43-year-old man, according to Johnson.

Johnson and Sgt. Steve Bittman arrived two minutes later to assist and one of the officers used an automated external defibrillator, shocking him one time, according to the report. CPR was performed on the man as well.

Mendham borough EMS arrived and the patient was loaded into an ambulance, at which time a pulse was detected. He was then transported to Morristown Medical Center. The patient regained consciousness in the ambulance prior to arrival at the hospital, according to Johnson.

Johnson said the patient's family reported Monday morning that he is doing well and in recovery.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.