Members of Bensalem Police, Fire Rescue and EMS, as well as doctors from Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, were recognized at the recent council meeting by director of public safety Bill McVey for uniting to save a man’s life last month.
On Feb. 8, at around 11:30 a.m., at the Radisson Hotel, first responders were called for an alarming report: an individual had fallen through the skylight on the roof into the lobby, dropping 75 feet and getting impaled by a 14-inch section of a chair, which was pressing against a major blood vessel.
Quickly, a plan was established to stabilize the man and determine what equipment was needed to safely separate him from the chair.
While EMS and Fire Rescue crews worked on the rescue operation, the physician response team from Jefferson arrived with blood and medications, providing critical medical care and patient sedation.
When more blood was required, a Bensalem Police sergeant went to retrieve a mass transfusion kit and returned to the scene.
“After extended rescue operations, the crews were successfully able to free the patient from the chair, place an advanced airway and package him for transport to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital,” said McVey. “Due to this remarkable teamwork and advanced lifesaving efforts demonstrated by all personnel on the scene, I’m happy to say the patient is recovering from these injuries.”
All involved received a citation.
Also during the meeting, McVey announced Bensalem’s Officer of the Year for 2023: Bryan Hearn, who was unanimously chosen by leadership of the Bensalem Township Command Staff for being an invaluable member of the department this past year.
“Your proactive approach to police work has led to the seizure of numerous firearms, countless narcotics and multiple stolen vehicles in 2023. Throughout the year, you conducted 235 traffic stops, made 120 criminal arrests and documented 599 incident reports. Guess you couldn’t do one more for 600,” McVey said with a laugh, describing Hearn as the MVP of the department.
Additionally, Hearn served as the primary field training officer for two new officers, and a secondary training officer for two others.
He received numerous commendations last year, including Officer of the Quarter, and was instrumental in the arrest of two burglary suspects and a homicide suspect.
Hearn has been with Bensalem Police for four years, and comes from a strong law enforcement family. His father John L. Hearn is the chief of police in Newtown, his older brother is an officer in Northampton and his sister is with the FBI.
Following the two award distributions, council member Michelle Benitez said, “Thank you to Bensalem’s finest, all of you. You really, really make us proud every day. I know you know that, but it can’t be said enough. Words really can’t express how grateful we are for what we have here.”
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
