Fort Lauderdale man who nearly died of heart attack reunites with first responders who saved his life

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Fort Lauderdale man who nearly died of a heart attack got the opportunity this week to thank his rescuers.

It was all smiles Wednesday during a heartfelt reunion between Terrance Williams and the first responders who saved his life.

“The feeling of knowing that I was still alive – and I was making it – that was a great feeling. And that God had blessed me to be among the living,” Williams said.

Back on Oct. 5, Williams, 68, was complaining of chest pains. His wife called 911 and when paramedics arrived, they found Williams sitting on the couch in his Fort Lauderdale home in distress.

He was alert when placed in an ambulance, but on the way to the hospital, his heart stopped.

“He went fully unconscious … he was pretty much like dead,” paramedic Nicholas Chavez said.

Paramedics started CPR and shocked Williams, successfully restarting his heart.

“I saw two guys over me – ‘Hey, buddy. Stay with me,’” Williams said.

Williams was treated at Broward Health Medical Center.

On Wednesday, he went to Fire Station 46 where paramedics presented him with some gifts.

Paramedics pinned to the bulletin board a Thank You card from Williams, reminding the first responders why they do what they do every day.

“I’m just really happy to be able to meet the residents -- our neighbors back here -- and just really congratulate everyone on how great a job they did,” Battalion Chief Tuyle Denman said.

Williams also got a chance to thank the nurses who took care of him at Broward Health.

He says he wants his story to serve as a reminder to take your health seriously and get checked out.


About the Author
Jenise Fernandez headshot

Jenise Fernandez joined the Local 10 News team in November 2014. She is thrilled to be back home reporting for the station she grew up watching. Jenise, who is from Miami and graduated from Florida International University, also interned at Local 10 while she was in college.

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