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.
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."
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.
