OK Man Meets EMSA Crew Who Helped Save His Life

An Oklahoma man met the everyday heroes who saved his life in front of his family.

Eric Chase suffered a heart attack and wanted to reunite with the paramedic and EMT because he was so impressed with their care.

In a strange twist, Chase is a paramedic in El Reno with Mercy.

Rarely do EMSA crews get to see a patient after they get them to the hospital, but thanks to top notch care, Chase's wish of meeting paramedic Tori Spencer and EMT Shyla Cottrell came true.

“This is actually the first time, so it's pretty special,” Spencer said. “When I saw his face, I was pretty ecstatic.”

Chase and his wife were eating at a restaurant on June 19 when Eric had a heart attack.

He remembered saying goodbye to his wife.

“I was going to die and I looked up at my wife and I told her, ‘I love you,’” Chase said.

The Oklahoma City firefighters responded, prepping Eric so well that the so-called “pit crew" swap with EMSA was seamless.

“They did it with grace and eloquence through communication with my wife to just conveying to me that they knew it was serious,” Chase told News 9.

Spencer and Cottrell said it was like treating a family member, which can be more stressful.

“He's one of us, he's family,” Spencer explained. “Police, fire, paramedics, EMS, we are all family and that just kind of upped it a level for us.”

Chase has had a pacemaker for more than a year.

Doctors found out the pacemaker was fine, but a blockage in his heart caused the heart attack.

He said he appreciates the love and respect first responders have for each other.

“I just want to give my deepest respect to the fire department and the EMSA crew who responded,” Chase added.

Chase is only 47 years old and said he has a history of heart issues. He suffered his first heart attack at age 32.