Off-Duty EMTs, Police Save Heart Attack Victim At Toms River Gym

TOMS RIVER, NJ - Four off-duty first responders performed lifesaving measures on a man who suffered a heart attack while exercising at a Toms River gym, police said.

Shortly before 4 p.m. on Sunday, Toms River police were dispatched to LA Fitness on Hooper Avenue for a reported medical emergency, police said.

At the scene, two off-duty EMTs - Dylan Tortorelli and Josh Menack - who were working out at the time were found performing CPR on the victim.

Two-off duty Toms River police officers, Alex Van Lew and Charlie Grainger, both of whom were also in the gym at the time of the incident, used an automated external defibrillator to revive the man.

The patient awakened moments later; Silverton First Aid and RWJ Paramedics responded and transported him to Brick Hospital for further treatment where he was later released, police said.

Tortorelli was sworn-in as a full-time police officer with the Neptune Township Police Department last week and is a Manchester Township EMT. Menack is a volunteer with the Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Squad and a Seaside Heights Beach Patrol Lifeguard and EMT, police said.

"We’d like to commend them, and everyone who jumped into action and rendered aid to help save a stranger’s life," police added.