A Heroic Rescue on I-190: Buffalo Public School Coach and Law Enforcement Officers Save a Life
In a remarkable display of heroism and quick thinking, Buffalo Public School (BPS) employee and BPS High School Basketball Coach, James Damon, along with Erie County Sheriff’s Office detectives and a Deputy from the ECSO Medical Response Unit, collaborated to save a life on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023. The incident unfolded on I-190, near Niagara Street, when Detective Jonathan Hanna encountered a single-vehicle crash into the center median.
Detective Hanna, a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Instructor, immediately sprang into action upon witnessing the crash. He activated his emergency lights and rushed to the scene. There, he found Mr. Damon, who had stopped his vehicle to assist. Mr. Damon, a true Good Samaritan, had already dialed 911 and successfully removed the unconscious female driver from the car. Without hesitation, he initiated CPR and chest compressions.
Shortly thereafter, Deputy Kyle Hoffman, an EMT with the ECSO Medical Response Unit, arrived on the scene, equipped with his medical kit. Deputy Hoffman wasted no time in inserting a Nasopharyngeal airway to stabilize the victim’s airway and assembling a bag valve mask. Meanwhile, Detective David Zamorek, another EMT from the ECSO Medical Response Unit, joined the rescue efforts.
As Detective Zamorek took over rescue breaths and neck stabilization, a New York State Trooper from T-Troop arrived, providing Narcan to counter the potential drug overdose. Simultaneously, the Buffalo Fire Department (BFD) arrived on the scene. Deputy Hoffman continued chest compressions, while Detective Hanna shared critical information with the responding officers and the BFD.
Deputy Hoffman received the news from the Trooper on scene that they had successfully established a pulse in the female victim. Swiftly, the emergency responders coordinated efforts to transport the victim to the hospital.
As of today, the female victim is intubated and in stable condition, all thanks to the seamless collaboration of these dedicated individuals.
Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia expressed his gratitude and recognition for the extraordinary efforts of Mr. James Damon, Detectives Jonathan Hanna and David Zamorek, and Deputy Kyle Hoffman. Sheriff Garcia emphasized that the combined actions of the bystander and the highly trained first responders played a pivotal role in providing the female victim with the best possible chance of survival.
