Team effort saves Cape Cod man pinned under his car

HARWICH, Mass. — A 62-year-old man was rushed to the hospital after getting pinned under his car in Harwich.

Local workers, residents and bystanders heard the commotion, and knew there was an emergency.

A team of bystanders helped to lift the car off the man, and began CPR to save his life.

Cyndi Williams, the executive director of the Harwich Chamber of Commerce, said she supported the family as the car was lifted.

"They had about five people lift the car off him while somebody pulled him out," Williams said.

Meanwhile, Maura Gallagher, a longtime school nurse who lives nearby, had her training kick in as she rushed to the victim.

"He had no pulse and he wasn't breathing, so I started chest compressions on him," Gallagher said.

Police arrived with an AED, and delivered a shock to the man, and Harwich Fire and Rescue rushed him to the hospital in critical condition.

The man is still alive, thanks to the quick-thinking group.

"When he left here, he was in cardiac arrest," Lieutenant Kevin Considine of the Harwich Police Department said. "I believe when we got to the hospital, due to those early CPR measures, that something was regained in his pulse."

Police say the victim had been working under his car with a scissor jack only, and they urge others to use the proper equipment.

The victim was initially taken to Cape Cod Hospital, before being transported by MedFlight to a Boston hospital.

The man remains in critical condition at the moment.

Cox Media Group