When a referee suffered an apparent heart attack at a high school basketball game on Feb. 7, Eastchester High School athletic director Jason Karol, athletic trainer Ellen Bastoni and parent Nancy Heffernan leaped into action to help the man. On Feb. 15, the trio were honored for their efforts by principal Jeffrey Capuano, Supervisor Anthony S. Colavita, county Legislator Sheila Marcotte, R-Tuckahoe, and members of the Eastchester High School Sports Club. Immediately after the referee collapsed, Karol began cardiopulmonary resuscitation while Bastoni ran to get the AED (automated external defibrillator). Heffernan assisted the pair with operating the AED. “A man is alive today as a result of the quick thinking and actions of these three heroes,” Colavita said.
From left: Supervisor Anthony S. Colavita, legislator Sheila Marcotte, athletic director Jason Karol, co-president Eastchester Sports Club Diana DiCarlo, trainer Ellen Bastoni, parent Nancy Heffernan, co-president Eastchester Sports Club Dan Schultz and principal Dr. Jeffrey Capuano. Contributed photo.
