The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

September 7, 2010

Quick thinking saves stricken jogger

By Robb Murray The Free Press

MANKATO — Funny how a handful of strangers can change a person’s life forever.

“Without them doing what they did, this kid would have probably passed,” said Le Sueur County Sheriff Tom Doherty.

In this case, the strangers were passersby in rural Cleveland. And the kid is 19-year-old Brandon Omtvedt, who was out for a jog one hot, sweltering July morning with his brother.

In a turn very much out of character for a healthy 19-year-old, Omtvedt collapsed and his 15-year-old brother didn’t know what to do.

That’s when the first passersby appeared.

Stephanie Anderson and Ross Blume came by and saw Omtvedt down and that he’d apparently passed out. They came to help and, within minutes, called 911. Rescuers were on their way, but in a rural area like Cleveland, it can sometimes take a while to get help.

“With Cleveland, any time they have a medical, we don’t have an ambulance close by,” Doherty said.

Moments after Anderson and Blume arrived, another passerby came to help. This time it was Jenny George, a military veteran and nursing student at Minnesota State University.

George assessed the situation, realized Omtvedt was in full arrest and began CPR, enlisting Blume’s help for the compressions. Doherty said Blume didn’t know how to do CPR, but George calmly but quickly explained the procedure to him.

Finally, Cleveland Fire Chief Kevin Hewitt arrived and took over for Blume. Within about 15 minutes, the Cleveland Rescue Team arrived. Mike Struck took over for Hewitt, and the team got Omtvedt to a hospital.

On Tuesday night in the Cleveland City Council chambers, Doherty planned to present Anderson, Blume, George and Struck with Life Saver certificates.

“I think you’ve got to take the time to pat these people on the back and let them know you really appreciate their life-saving achievement,” he said. “It’s nice recognition to let them know, ‘Hey, you guys did a great job.’”

Omtvedt could not be reached for comment. But Doherty said he spoke with him on the phone early Tuesday and Omtvedt, a student at MSU, said he definitely planned to be there.

 

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