YORK COUNTY, SC – A man and a woman are alive today thanks to the quick actions of four York County citizens. On August 30, 2018, York County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the intersection of Hands Mill Highway and Charlotte Highway, south of Lake Wylie, for two people passed out and unresponsive in a running vehicle stopped in the intersection. When Deputies arrived they observed Anthony Farmer, Jennifer Lopez and April Weaver performing CPR on the two subjects.
A fourth citizen, Jeremy Morris first noticed the individuals passed out in the truck, called 9-1-1, and then helped get the two people out of the truck. Morris then moved the vehicle out of the roadway before returning to assist with lifesaving CPR.
Senior Deputy Chris Penland determined the two subjects were showing signs of a drug overdose. Sr. Deputy Penland and Emergency Medical Services personnel administered NARCAN (Naloxone) to the two individuals. Both regained consciousness and were taken to the hospital for further medical care.
“Both subjects who overdosed survived, but it’s my belief that they would not have done so without the quick help from these individuals,” said Deputy Penland.
On October 24, 2018 Sheriff Kevin Tolson presented a public service award to Farmer, Lopez, Weaver and Morris.
“This is what the opioid crisis looks like, in one of the busiest intersections of York County, sitting in traffic, inside a running vehicle, these people collapse from an overdose. This epidemic has become such an overwhelming issue to where now our citizens have also become first responders to save lives,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “Though these four citizens claim it was just the right thing to do, they deserve recognition for their quick heroic actions to save lives.”
To learn more about the opioid crisis locally visit www.keystoneyork.org or York County All On Board Coalition via www.facebook.com/AOBYC.
