Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Nats trainers revive, but can't save man

USA Today Sports Images
Nationals head trainer Lee Kuntz with manager Davey Johnson on Monday.
Updated at 8:45 p.m.

ATLANTA — Two members of the Nationals' training staff thought they helped save a man's life Wednesday afternoon, reviving a cameraman who suffered an apparent heart attack at Turner Field, only to learn later in the evening he died at an Atlanta hospital.

Reuben Porras, 61, was working for MLB Network, setting up in a media workroom underneath the stadium around noon, when he collapsed. A colleague rushed down the hallway and found Nationals head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz and training assistant John Hsu, who were in the nearby visiting weight room.

Kuntz and Hsu grabbed an automated external defibrillator that had only been installed in the visiting clubhouse a week ago and rushed to the aid of Porras, who had lost consciousness and wasn't breathing. Kuntz used the AED machine and CPR to revive the man, then waited for paramedics to arrive.

Porras was taken to a nearby hospital and admitted to the ICU. Kuntz was still awaiting word of his fate shortly before the start of the Nationals' game against the Braves. He later was informed Porras had died.

Kuntz said he and his entire staff receive CPR training each spring, though this was the first time he'd needed to use it at the ballpark.

7 comments:

Ghost Of Steve M. said...

Wow! Way to go guys!

timeless46 said...

wow.... just wow ....

JaneB said...

More reason to love the whole Nats family!

SCNatsFan said...

That's why everyone should take a CPR course and know how to work an aed. Bet for those guys it will be the highlight of the year even if we win it all.

Section 222 said...

Just reading this now. I assume the original report didn't indicate that the poor man died. What a shame. Still, a great effort by our staff.

Unknown said...

Peace to family

MurrayTheRed said...

So sad. Peace.

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