A photo of emergency crews surrounding the truck where the incident took place on Saturday. (Submitted photo)

By Logan Lehmann

Life saving actions

‘He’s a hero’: P.A. man uses CPR to save life of unconscious driver in Wal-Mart parking lot

Dec 17, 2023 | 5:24 PM

At a time when people are looking for a Christmas miracle, one occurred Saturday afternoon in Prince Albert’s Wal-Mart parking lot.

Austin Baldwin is being hailed a hero, after rushing to the aid of a stranger. While behind the wheel of a parked vehicle, the stranger was suffering a heart attack.

According to online posts, the doors to the man’s vehicle were locked and Baldwin broke the driver side window to check his vitals. When there was no pulse, he then pulled the man out of the vehicle and performed lifesaving CPR while another bystander ran into the Wal-Mart to grab a defibrillator. They then brought the device to Baldwin, who was continuing CPR, and shocked him once to bring him back to life.

“Austin your P.A.’s new hero,” said one of the posts. “Thank you for being the Angel at Wal-Mart today.”

paNOW was able to contact family members of the driver who suffered the heart attack and said they are beyond grateful for Austin’s heroics.

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“He’s a hero to us,” said Cindy Neufeld, sister of the driver. “We’re happy he’ll be with us for Christmas.”

She added that her brother has no recollection of the incident, or driving to Wal-Mart initially. Following the incident, the man was transported to Victoria Hospital and then to Saskatoon via STARS Air Ambulance where he is said to be in good health.

“[Austin] actually saved someone’s dad, grandpa, husband, brother, friend,” read another online post. “You are a hero. Miracles of Christmas.”

As the weekend’s calls were still being reviewed, a spokesperson for Parkland Ambulance was only able to confirm paramedics did respond to an incident in the Wal-Mart parking lot around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.

More information about the incident is expected on Monday.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com