Hero Cop Saves Father In Long Valley After Bee Sting Stops Heart

LONG VALLEY, NJ - In his year on the police force in Manville Officer Sean Carroll has seen enough to know that when his father was rendered unconscious from a bee sting, it was serious. But according to his sister Tara, the 25-year-old Long Valley native's quick action and assistance of a helpful neighbor, saved her 63-year-old father's life.

Bill Carroll was finishing up dinner on his deck in Long Valley when he was bitten on the ear by a bee. With no family history of a bee allergy and no reaction after having been stung previously, he thought little of it.

But all that changed a few minutes later when his wife noticed he had left the door open to the bathroom and appeared to be "wobbly" and did not respond to her when she called out to him, Tara said.

"My Dad started to pass out and fell towards the window in the bathroom hitting his head," Tara Carroll said. "My Mom rushed over to him and caught him before he fell into the bathtub."

As she cried out for her sons, Bill began to wheeze and convulse.

"My brother Sean ran in. He’s been a police officer for a little over a year," Tara Carroll said. "He assessed the situation and called 911."

Sean Carroll laid his father on the ground and monitored his breathing and pulse. His breath and pulse started to weaken.

"My brother began giving CPR as my dad’s heart stopped. He also stopped breathing," Tara Carroll said.

Moments into the resuscitative efforts the Carroll's neighbor Kristin Todd arrived on the scene. Todd, a trained nurse, immediately began to assist.

"My Dad was blue in the face, and she began giving him rescue breaths as my brother performed CPR," Tara Carroll said.

Full Two Minutes

What seemed like hours transpired in moments as Kristin and Sean worked frantically to restart Bill's heart.

"My Dad’s heart rate stopped for almost a full two minutes," Tara said. "My brother feared he was gone for good for what he’d seen as a police officer."

But Tara said it was Todd who pushed Sean to keep going. And her instincts paid off.

"My Dad’s pulse started to slowly come back," Tara said.

The Long Valley first Aid Squad arrived at the home with a breathing apparatus and swiftly took over the resuscitation work, Tara said. The First Aid Squad loaded Bill into an ambulance and Tara said the entire ride to the hospital Bill was in and out of consciousness.

But things improved swiftly after that. Bill was released home after several days of treatment and observation.

"He’s healthy and alive," Tara said. "The bee sting caused cardiac arrest."

Bill Carroll has now resumed his life at home, with an epi pen, but was told he can expect to live a normal life. Thanks to the Sean, Kristin and the Long Valley First Aid Squad.

"I am forever grateful to Sean Carroll and Kristin Todd," Tara said. "I am forever grateful to have my Dad in my life."

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