SWEDESBORO — Not only has Swedesboro Councilperson Diane Hale been working hard to save Swedesboro, but now she can be credited with possibly saving a life too.
On the evening of April 13, Hale said she decided to take her outrigger canoe out for some paddling practice onto Lake Narraticon. She is part of a Dragon Boat racing team.
She said that when she got down to the end of Lake Park, she noticed a man lying on the ground.
“I called out to him but he didn’t respond,” she said. She felt that something was seriously wrong, because no one would lie on that ground where it was cold with possible fishing hooks.
Hale said she didn’t have a cell phone or shoes with her to go to the person so she had to turn around and go back to where she knew where there were two other kayakers, Carolyn Bennett of Swedesboro and Dave Hanst a former Swedesboro resident.
Hale explained the situation and Hanst said he had just been down to that area and had seen the person standing and fishing. After that, they all paddled down to check out the person.
They found the man who Hale only remembers his first name as Gus, still on the ground, non-responsive, and Hale called 9-1-1. Hale said the Woolwich Police and Gloucester County EMS were there within minutes.
According to Woolwich Township Police Detective Chris D. Beckett, the 65 year old male victim was believed to be in a diabetic emergency. He was treated and transported by Gloucester County EMS to Inspira Hospital. He was released hours later.
Responding officers were Sgt. Anthony Verrilli and Ptl. Sean Sturgis.
Hale said she would like to give a big thank you to the police and EMS, but an even bigger thank you to her neighbor and friend for helping with this situation.
By Karen E. Viereck, Editor/Publisher
