Crime & Safety

McCardiac: Police Save Drive-Thru Heart Attack Victim at McDonald's

Newport Beach cops use a defibrillator to revive an unresponsive customer.

It's not on the menu, but a McDonald's customer got some CPR with his order Sunday.

The man, who appeared to be in his 50s, suffered a heart attack in the drive-thru lane of the Newport Beach fast-food outlet. By the time police arrived, he had no pulse. But officers were able to save his life thanks to a donation that equipped all patrol cars with defibrillators.

The rescue began around 9 p.m. Sunday, after Sgt. Rachel Johnson and Officer Bob Bennett responded to a car accident in the McDonald's drive-thru at 700 W. Coast Highway, according to Kathy Lowe, police department spokeswoman.

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After noticing the man's car had crashed into a parked vehicle at the end of the lane, police quickly realized it was a life-and-death situation.

"He had a heart attack and was slumped over the driver’s side door," Bennett said. "When we started to assess him, we realized he didn't have a pulse on his neck or wrist and was unresponsive."

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The pair pulled the man out of the car. Another officer put her jacket under his head to protect it from the concrete.

"We used a defibrillator to shock him once, then we started CPR and chest compressions until paramedics arrived," Bennett explained.

When paramedics arrived a few minutes later, the man was still unresponsive, but had a pulse.

Lowe said every patrol vehicle is equipped with a defibrillator thanks to a March 2004 community donation.

"Without a doubt, the availability of these lifesaving devices provided officers with the necessary tools to save this man’s life," Lowe said.

The man was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

After Bennett left the scene, he drove to the man's home to tell his wife about the fast-food ordeal and offer her a ride to the hospital.

"She decided to drive herself, but she was very appreciative," Bennett said.


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