PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A 15-year-old boy who suffered a medical emergency while riding in a car through Phoenixville was reunited this week with the strangers who came to his rescue.
On Saturday, Weston Hammacher was in the passenger seat as his mother, Janessa Broderick, drove through town.
“We were literally driving, getting a haircut, getting ready for the homecoming dance that night, and he slumped over on me driving through town,” Broderick said. “I pulled over right away and he was seizing pretty good.”
Broderick began yelling for help. Her cries were heard by Lauren McGlaughlin, a nurse from Phoenixville, who was walking her dog across the street with her fiancé.
“I think I really, during that time, kinda just went into nurse mode,” McGlaughlin said. “You just kinda get into a different mindset. I didn’t even think twice.”
McGlaughlin checked Hammacher’s pulse and adjusted his position to help him breathe. Moments later, another good Samaritan, retired volunteer firefighter Jonathan Mount of Phoenixville, joined in to help.
“My wife and I were getting ready to get in the car and we just heard this yell, and I’ve heard it before – it’s that mom yell – and I knew somebody was really in trouble,” Mount said. “I just jumped in the back seat and held his head so he could breathe better.”
While McGlaughlin and Mount worked to stabilize Hammacher, another woman called 911.
“One good Samaritan, one after another – one, two, three – and they all happened to be perfect trades,” Broderick said. “A nurse, firefighter, what else can you ask for in that moment when you’re helpless?”
After Hammacher was released from the hospital later that day, Broderick posted online to find and thank the people who helped save her son.
“I’m happy that they didn’t shy away from reuniting again,” she said. “I’m happy we were able to find them and I was able to thank them.”
When the group met again, Hammacher expressed his gratitude.
“I’m very grateful that both Lauren and Jonathan were there to help me out in the situation,” he said.
Mount said it was rewarding to see Hammacher recover.
“This is wonderful to see – he is upright and walking around and is going to be OK, and hopefully it’s something simple,” Mount said.
Hammacher’s mother said her son has been resting and is feeling much better since the incident.
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