Camden County Health Department employee’s quick action saves life

Camden Health Department employees Sara Kucharski, RN and Koren Norwood, were returning from performing health screenings in Camden on April 27 when they saved the life of an overdose victim.

“The quick and selfless actions of Sara Kucharski and Koren Norwood saved a life,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department. “They went above and beyond the call of duty to provide emergency medical assistance to someone who had stopped breathing due to an overdose of heroin.”

The two were traveling on Route 130 in the Camden County Health Connection Van when several cars were stopped ahead of them.

“I observed a man from the passenger side of the first car stopped, get out and start jumping and running over to the driver side of the car,” Kucharski said. “He attempted to pull the driver out of the car, and I saw that his arm was blue and purple.”

That is when she jumped out of the van and ran over to the man who was unresponsive. After removing him from the car, she checked for a pulse and breathing but found none.

“I started CPR in the road. I started chest compressions and asked bystanders to call 911,” Kucharski said. “The victim’s eyes opened extremely wide, and he was confused. I instructed him to lay still, that he had a medical emergency and that the paramedics were on their way.”

Later, the victim thanked Kucharski for saving his life.