Two Good Samaritans Save a Beaconsfield Woman’s Life With CPR — Do You Know Them?
Every night before she goes to sleep, Joyce King thinks about two strangers she has never met — but who saved her life. Her remarkable story was first reported by the Montreal Gazette, and you can read the original article here:
👉 Brenda O’Farrell: Looking for Two Good Samaritans — Do You Know Them?
A Routine Outing Turned Into a Life-or-Death Emergency
On December 22, 2015, at around 3 p.m., Joyce and her daughter had just left a Tim Hortons at the corner of Brunswick and St-Jean Blvds. in Pointe-Claire. They walked across the parking lot and began to cross the street in the cold December rain.
As her daughter hurried ahead, she suddenly heard Joyce call out her name — and turned to see her mother collapse onto the pavement.
Joyce had gone into cardiac arrest. She was not breathing.
Two Strangers Step Forward
Stopped at the red light in the first car at the intersection was a husband and wife. Without hesitation, the man jumped out of the car and ran to Joyce. After checking her breathing and pulse, he shouted for his wife — a nurse — who immediately rushed to Joyce’s side and began lifesaving CPR.
Within moments, people nearby gathered to help. Someone held an umbrella over them as rain poured down. Several bystanders called 911. Another woman from the nearby YMCA ran over and assisted with CPR, working alongside the nurse to keep Joyce alive until paramedics arrived.
An Urgences-Santé ambulance reached the scene and took over care. Thanks to the Good Samaritans’ quick actions, Joyce had a fighting chance.
A Difficult Recovery — and a Deep Desire to Say Thank You
Joyce was transported to Sacré-Cœur Hospital, where she remained unconscious for two full days. She woke up on December 24 — a moment she hardly remembers — and spent nearly a week in intensive care before being transferred to the cardiac ward. She later underwent surgery to have an implanted defibrillator placed in her chest — a device designed to shock her heart back into rhythm if it ever stops again.
After weeks in a convalescence centre, Joyce finally returned home. Although she feels stronger, she admits the experience has been frightening:
“Very honestly, I am very scared. I don’t want it to happen again.”
The timing also weighs heavily on her heart. Joyce has lost both a brother and a sister during Christmastime, making her own near-death experience during the holidays especially emotional.
Despite everything, one thought remains constant: she wants to find — and personally thank — the couple who saved her life.
“I would really like to meet these people and express my gratitude. People like them make the world a better place.”
Learn CPR — You Can Save a Life, Too
Joyce is alive today because two strangers recognized an emergency and took action. Her story is a powerful example of how bystander CPR dramatically increases survival rates during cardiac arrest.
If you want the skills and confidence to help someone in distress, consider taking certified CPR and AED training.
👉 Start here: CPR & AED Courses – Calgary First Aid
This course teaches exactly what Joyce’s rescuers did — and what you can do if someone depends on you.
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