Doctor saves life on trip from D.C.
10/14/09 | 15 comments

Doctor saves life on trip from D.C.


Dover-Foxcroft surgeon aids man who couldn’t breathe
By Diana Bowley
BDN Staff
AP PHOTO BY SUSAN WALSH
President Barack Obama points to the audience as he speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. From left are Dr. Mona Mangat of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Dr. Hershey Garner of Fayetteville, Ark.; and Dr. Richard Evans of Dover-Foxcroft.

DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine - After spending time last week with President Barack Obama at the White House to show support for health care reform, Dr. Richard Evans did what he does best on his return home. He saved a life.

In a Rose Garden ceremony Oct. 5, the Dover-Foxcroft surgeon joined other physicians from across the U.S. who support the president’s initiative. Evans left for home the next day. He and his wife, Bonny, took a flight from Washington to Boston and then rode Amtrak’s Downeaster train from Boston to Portland.

Evans was waiting in line at the train station to pay his parking ticket when a young man rushed to the counter and asked that 911 be called because a man had collapsed and was not breathing, Evans recalled this week.

Evans said he went over to the man, who was lying on his side, and knelt down beside him. Evans said he noticed the man had no pulse and was turning blue in the face, so Evans turned him on his back.

“The first thing you always want to do is secure the airway, so I was checking his airway,” Evans said. It appeared that the man’s tongue was preventing him from breathing, so Evans worked to clear the airway. As he did so, he also directed a bystander on how to do compressions on the man’s chest. Seconds later, the man began taking slow breaths and eventually his color returned to normal, Evans recalled.

“I just held his head, kept his jaw elevated so that he could get enough air” while waiting for the paramedics who had been summoned, Evans said. When the man woke up, he was confused and didn’t know where he was, but he kept asking for his wife, Joyce, Evans said. The bystanders inquired around for Joyce but couldn’t find anyone who had been with the man, he said. Evans said he asked the man about his medical history, but the man really didn’t know.

Evans said his wife had gone into the restroom before the incident and when she returned, she found their luggage sitting unattended and Evans gone. “She thought it was very unusual for me to leave the luggage, so she called me on my cell phone. When I didn’t answer, that made her even more worried,” Richard Evans said. “She had heard someone had collapsed and she thought it was me.

“I just left the luggage without thinking and went over [to help the man],” Evans said. “I saw that somebody needed help — that was the only thing that went into my mind. Otherwise, I would never walk off and leave my luggage unattended in any airport or train station, especially with the climate today.”

Since his return to Dover-Foxcroft, Evans said, he received a handwritten thank-you letter from David Howe, a volunteer host who was riding the Amtrak train and had observed the incident. Howe thanked Evans for his lifesaving assistance and noted that he had filed a report with the railroad.

Evans said he learned later that the man he assisted had suffered a heart attack and was recovering well.

dianabdn@myfairpoint.net

876-4579

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Comments
15 comments on this item
On 10/13/09 at 10:04 PM, lovetheBDN wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well done Dr. Evans!!! You are a wonderful treasure to ALL of Maine!!!!

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On 10/14/09 at 5:55 AM, huhinpi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Very well done sir. if more people helped others this world would be a much better place

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On 10/14/09 at 6:06 AM, worker wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr. Evans was in Machias for awhile, what a good Dr. Way to go Dr.

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On 10/14/09 at 6:17 AM, leroyfwebber wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Very well done Dr. Evans . While I am writing, I want to thank you for saving my brother's life also. He wouldn't be here today without your help. I don't think I can write his name on here but if you read this, I think you will know who I am talking about. He had Whipple's disease. You are a great asset to the Dover-Foxcroft area. Have a nice day.

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On 10/14/09 at 8:09 AM, bentay wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

My husband and I both have Dr. Evans . He is so down to earth. Just a wonderful human being. Hope he is around for a long , long time.

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On 10/14/09 at 8:09 AM, Amanda1982 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Awww!! What a great story to read first thing this morning. See the news isnt always about bad stuff! Congrats Dr. Evans, you maybe suprised but not everyone who knows CPR would of gone to that mans rescue, Im sure getting luggage and getting home is #1 priority in somes eyes, but with your efforts you saved this mans life! God put u there that day to save that mans life...u are a hero!

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On 10/14/09 at 8:37 AM, eastporter wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr. Evans is a kind, gentle man who would help anyone in need. Dr. Evans served our country in the military and he is now doing wonderful things as a doctor. We miss him here in Downeast Maine! We will always remember your kindness and professionalism as a doctor. We will always remember receiving a Christmas card from Dr. Evans that he personally signed himself. With so many patients, he still took the time to let his patients know that he cared about them. Take care Dr. Evans and may God bless you and yours. Sincerely, The Smith's

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On 10/14/09 at 9:51 AM, Mainefriend wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr. Evan's, you deserve commendation! You do what you do for the right reasons. Helping people in need! Thank God for people who practice medicine and have the compassion neccessary when it comes to caring for people. Maine is fortunate to have great doctors as well as some of the very best healthcare services in the country!

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On 10/14/09 at 2:56 PM, mooseME wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr. Evans is the greatest doctor in the world. He went above and beyond for me when I had to have surgery. I wish more doctors were like him!

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On 10/14/09 at 3:58 PM, Estelle wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr. Richard Evans is not only an excellant doctor, generous, gentle but also has a great sense of humor.

Dr. Evans, you have proved to all,what I have been telling people about you. Bless you.

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On 10/14/09 at 9:39 PM, nursewoo wrote: Click here to view hidden comment         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden
On 10/15/09 at 8:22 AM, AMomsOpinion wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Nice story...kudos Dr Evans :)

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On 10/15/09 at 11:07 AM, oceanmist wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr. Evans reset my daughter's broken arm a few years ago. He has a wonderful bedside manner. He is a great asset to the medical profession!

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On 10/15/09 at 6:59 PM, irishgirl wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr Evans was a great asset when he was at DECH in Machias but unfortunately he was driven out, Machias loss, DoverFoxcrofts gain. I know many pt's from this are afollowed him there. BTW did you count the number of he saids in the article?? I for once would like to read a BDN story that doesn't ahve he said, she said at the end of most sentences, one of my pet peeves. Wasn't any other word taught in writing class??

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On 10/16/09 at 12:08 PM, DougLavigne wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dr Evans, you should be given the Key to the City, Kudos to you Doc.

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