Ellington Town Employee Cited For Saving Relative's Life With CPR

ELLINGTON, CT — An employee of the Ellington Senior Center was cited Tuesday for his heroic efforts in saving the life of a relative who had collapsed.

Town officials gathered at the senior center to honor Michael Castro, a chef at the facility for about three years, who is credited with reviving his brother-in-law via cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

At a family event in South Windsor on June 15, Castro was walking with his brother-in-law when he noticed the man had become unsteady on his feet. He suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing, and Castro, who had recently attended town-sponsored CPR training, immediately directed a person nearby to call 9-1-1 and initiated CPR.

Within a short time of starting chest compressions, Castro’s brother-in-law regained consciousness. An ambulance took him to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, where medical personnel told the family that without the immediate start of CPR, the outcome would have likely been tragic. The victim continues to recover and has since returned home.

For his efforts, Ellington First Selectman Lori Spielman awarded Castro a certificate of recognition.

"I am so thankful that the town was able to make this CPR training available to all of our employees," she said. "We were all told during our training that CPR could save anyone, anywhere, at any time. We are so proud of Mike.".

Spielman also credited Peter Hany, director of the Ellington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the primary CPR instructor for the town.

"Peter is an excellent teacher and leader of Ellington’s EMS team," Spielman said. "We are thankful for his many years of dedicated volunteer service to the town."