Tulsa Man Thankful After Stranger Carries Him To Safety During Protest

Two complete strangers are now connected after a lifesaving effort during this week's protests.

News On 6 did a story earlier this week about Ryan Ruble, a Good Samaritan who carried a man early half a mile to paramedics during Sunday nights protests on Brookside.

Stephan Leppert is a diabetic and because he blacked out, he had no idea someone saved his life, until he saw our story.

"I just want to thank him. If he was right here, I would give him a big hug,” said Stephan.

Stephan said he is forever thankful for the man who carried him to safety during protests on Brookside Sunday night.

Ryan Ruble was in the area, checking on the store where he works, when he saw Stephan collapse in the street.

Ryan used his military training to give Stephan first aid, but when paramedics couldn't get through the crowd, Ryan scooped Stephan up and carried him.

“When I had got to the hospital, they had said your blood sugar was really low. If you would have stayed any longer you would have probably died at the scene,” said Stephan.

The two men were complete strangers.

Stephan said he was walking to a convenience store on Brookside, when he got mixed up IN the crowd of protestors.

He said he started to overheat and that's the last thing he remembers.

"I felt like something bad was going to happen. Next thing I know I black out. Just collapsed right there,” said Stephan.

Stephan said he hadn't taken his insulin and hadn't eaten much, which is why he passed out.

"He saved someone’s life that is valuable,” said Stephan. “Because I have a family, I don't know what I would have done if I would have lost my family. Like if I had one wish right now it would be if he could show up right here and I could say thank you."

Stephan said Ryan's heroic act changed his life in more ways than one.

He said he now wants to be a paramedic, so he can save other people.

"And now that a man saved my life, now it just makes we want to study more of what happened that night you know,” said Stephan.

Stephan and Ryan are planning to meet in person soon.