Cardiac arrest victim thanks first responders for saving his life

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Family members watched Tuesday as 40-year-old James Ellis thanked first responders who saved his life two weeks ago after he crashed his car on Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills.

"I really appreciate everyone and I know you were just doing your job but without you, I wouldn't be able to take care of them and I'm sorry, I'm just grateful," Ellis said.

He's grateful because on Aug. 24, Ellis suffered a medical emergency that caused him to go into cardiac arrest and lose control of his car. When officers got there, the car was still lodged against a pole with its tires spinning.

Without hesitation, first responders broke the window, placed Ellis' unconscious body on the ground and started CPR.

Officer Lindsey South did the chest compressions.

"I just started doing CPR, that's what we're trained to do," South said. "The Fire Department trains us on CPR every two years and it just kicked in."

Ellis was shocked twice with an AED and taken to the hospital. Days later, he's standing here to talk about it.

"We are deeply indebted to what you did," said a family member of Ellis. "We are so happy that we still have Jim and we want to thank every one of you from the bottom of our hearts."

Other than a sling on his left arm to protect a medical device on his heart, Ellis is okay. He did not have health insurance, so family members are asking for donations to help with medical expenses. You can click here to donate.


About the Author:

You can watch Kimberly Gill weekdays anchoring Local 4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and streaming live at 10 p.m. on Local 4+. She's an award-winning journalist who finally called Detroit home in 2014. Kim has won Regional Emmy Awards, and was part of the team that won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in 2022.