Quick-Thinking, Training Help Police Save The Life Of Man Hit By Car

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Two Mount Vernon Police officers and other first responders in Mount Vernon are being credited with saving the life of a man early Saturday morning.

On Saturday, shortly before 4:30 a.m., Emergency Service Unit officers rushed to the scene of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle at the corner of Union Avenue and East 3rd Street.

First on the scene, the officers identified minor lacerations and an open fracture to the left leg of the pedestrian. Quickly removing the clothing of the victim, an officer applied a tourniquet above the victim's leg injury, stopping the bleeding. The officer's continued life-saving measures until the Empress ambulance arrived. The officers, along with Empress EMTs splinted the injury, transferred the patient to the ambulance and took him to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

When detectives followed up on the victim at Jacobi Medical Center, medical staff told them that the tourniquet application to the victim's leg, not only immediately stopped the bleeding, but also saved the victim's life.

"Great job by PO Camacho and PO Rizzo, EMTs at empress, everyone involved on this call," the Mount Vernon Police Association said in a statement released on social media on Monday. "This is what experienced and talented police officers are able to do, save lives."