I Just Wanted to See Him Breathing”: Passersby Perform Lifesaving CPR After Serious Collision in Pitt Meadows
Two young men helped save a stranger’s life after he was struck by a semi-trailer truck in Pitt Meadows. The details of the incident were first reported by CBC News, and you can read the original article here:
👉 I just wanted to see him breathing’: Passersby resuscitate man hit by semi-trailer
Around 2:30 a.m., Matt Burnett and Jeremy Scholing, both 23, were driving home to Abbotsford along Lougheed Highway when they heard a loud bang—followed by the sight of a man lying motionless on the road.
“We just heard a bang … and it looked like someone laying there,” Scholing recalled.
Without hesitation, the two pulled over and ran toward the injured man, who was not breathing. Another passerby called 911 while Burnett and Scholing prepared to help.
CPR Guided Over the Phone
Neither Burnett nor Scholing had ever performed CPR before. But with emergency dispatchers coaching them by phone,
they immediately began resuscitation efforts. Burnett helped wipe blood from the man’s face, even using the shirt off his own back to assist.
“I just wanted to see him breathing,” Burnett said.
After several intense minutes of continuous CPR, the man began coughing and showing signs of life—a critical turning point before paramedics arrived and rushed him to hospital.
RCMP Investigation
According to Ridge Meadows RCMP, witnesses reported that the victim—a 22-year-old man from Port Coquitlam—had stepped into the eastbound lane near Harris Road to hail a taxi when he was hit by a five-ton box truck. He was transported to hospital in critical condition.
“This is a tragic outcome and we are supporting the family during this difficult time,” said Sgt. Brenda Gresiuk. “[We] would also like to thank the witnesses that stopped and provided initial first aid, which included CPR.”
The truck driver remained on scene and cooperated fully with police.
Burnett and Scholing later shared that the experience left them shaken but hopeful. “We just wanted to make sure he was alive,” Burnett said. “It’s not like it’s something we’ve been trained to do … we did as best as we could.”
Why CPR Training Matters
This incident highlights how crucial CPR knowledge can be—especially in unexpected emergencies where every second counts. High-quality CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival during cardiac arrest or severe trauma.
Burnett and Scholing had no formal CPR training, yet their willingness to act—and the guidance provided by emergency dispatchers—helped buy precious time until medical professionals arrived.
If you want to be prepared to act confidently in moments like these, consider enrolling in a CPR and AED training course. You can learn essential skills that may one day save a life.
👉 Learn more at: https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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