SPRING HILL, Tenn. - A Spring Hill City Council meeting turned emotional when a man was reunited with the residents and first responders who saved his life.
The city presented several first responders and Vicki Bechet, Frank Bechet and Evan Ward with the ‘Phoenix Award’ for their quick action in bringing a man back to life who was experiencing cardiac arrest. Sean Smith, the man they saved, surprised them to thank them in person.
Smith was driving along Main Street in Spring Hill on July 30th when he went into cardiac arrest. Vicki and Frank Bechet were in the car behind him, and noticed he was slumped over and driving slowly. As a retired nurse, Vicki knew he was having some kind of medical emergency. When they were able to catch up to the car, they found Smith unresponsive. They were able to stop his car, get Smith out and with the help of Ward, call 911 and start CPR. First responders arrived moments later.
Smith was taken to TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville where he underwent quadruple bypass surgery. He said he is “feeling great” now, and was grateful to be able to thank the people who saved him in person.
“It was very emotional,” said Smith. “It was hard to describe. Just very emotional.”
During the reunion there were lots of hugs and few tears, as well.
“I’ve been in the medical business for 40 years,” said Vicki Bechet. “I brought a lot of babies into the world, but knowing I could keep someone here, it was an amazing feeling.”
Bechet said she has been working with the Spring Hill Fire Department to schedule CPR classes for the community. Classes will be $10 a person and beginning on September 10. Bechet said she hopes the classes can teach others on what to do if they find themselves in a similar situation.
“It can absolutely make a difference,” said Bechet.
