DELAND, Fla. – A desperate 911 call from the middle of Lake Woodruff sparked a race against time Sunday morning as first responders rushed to help a 56-year-old fisherman suffering from cardiac arrest.
Video from a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office helicopter shows flight paramedic Matt Brunelle jumping roughly 20 feet from the aircraft into the lake to reach the fisherman and his wife, who had been performing CPR.
“I reach back here and close the door. Once I had the door closed, then I just kind of jumped forward into the water,” Brunelle said.
Brunelle said the decision to jump was made quickly because the fisherman needed immediate medical assistance.
“So it was almost instant,” he said. “He needed assistance immediately—and her being by herself.”
Brunelle said it could have taken ground responders 20 to 25 minutes to reach the couple by boat.
Lake Woodruff is in an isolated area, making the rescue even more challenging. The closest roadway access is still miles from the lake and surrounding waterways.
While the helicopter crew made its way to the fisherman, deputies on shore found a Good Samaritan with a boat who agreed to help. Deputies used the boat to reach the fisherman’s pontoon, where they continued performing CPR until EMS arrived and took over the lifesaving efforts
.The fisherman was rushed to a hospital but ultimately did not survive. Volusia County Sheriff’s Office officials said their hearts go out to the fisherman’s wife, who was forced to perform CPR on her husband during the traumatic emergency.
Brunelle said everyone involved did everything they could to give the fisherman a chance.
“We don’t need any gratuity. We just do it,” Deputy Jevon Gardner said. “But when there’s somebody out there who’s willing to do the same thing for us, it’s probably one of the best feelings, because a lot of people don’t.”
The sheriff’s office said the response involved multiple agencies and a Good Samaritan who stepped in to help when it mattered most.
News 6 reached out to the Good Samaritan who assisted deputies and is waiting to hear back.
The investigation into what caused the medical emergency continues.