Rex Somerville recalls the evening members from St. John Ambulance saved his life during a Lifesaving Award presentation at Quinte West council on Tuesday February 21, 2017. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Rex Somerville says he thanks God everyday for the lifesaving skills shown by members of St. John Ambulance and a ready available defibrillator.
After playing a ballgame at Prince Charles School in Belleville on September 13, 2016 and showing no signs of distress the 56-year-old Trenton man collapsed suddenly from cardiac arrest.
Gino Leone, Greg Rupnow and Scott Lafleur were recognized with lifesaving awards at Quinte West council Tuesday night for their quick actions in reviving Somerville through CPR and a defibrillator.
A teary-eyed Somerville said thankfully it took one shot from the defibrillator to get his heart going again before the paramedics arrived.
A humble Rupnow explained they had a lot of help in saving Somerville.
At a Hastings County council meeting in October 2016, certificates were presented to Noel Barriage, Lillian Jolliffe-Czindl, Cherie Schiere, Scott Lafleur, Greg Rupnow and Gino Leone in recognition of their life-saving efforts.
Now Somerville and his wife are working to get as many defibrillators as possible across Quinte. Right now they are raising funds for Slow Pitch For Autism in Belleville. A cheque presentation is planned for April.
