ELLINGTON, Conn. — A ceremony at the Ellington Senior Center Tuesday afternoon recognized the life–saving efforts of an employee who works there.
Ellington town officials celebrated Michael Castro, a senior center chef, for saving the life of his brother-in-law while attending a family event in South Windsor on June 15.
The Town of Ellington says Castro was walking with his brother-in-law that day when he noticed the man was unsteady on his feet. Castro’s brother-in-law then collapsed suddenly and stopped breathing.
Castro, who recently attended a town-sponsored CPR training, directed a nearby person to dial 9-1-1 and quickly began administering CPR. According to the Town of Ellington, Castro’s brother-in-law regained consciousness shortly after Castro began chest compressions.
An ambulance took Castro’s brother-in-law to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, where he was hospitalized. The Town of Ellington says medical personnel informed the family that without the start of immediate CPR, there likely would have been a tragic outcome.
Castro’s brother-in-law has since recovered and returned home.
On Tuesday, Ellington First Selectman Lori Spielman awarded a certificate of recognition to Castro for his efforts.
“I am so thankful that the town was able to make this CPR training available to all of our employees,” Spielman said. “We were all told during our training that CPR could save anyone, anywhere, at any time… We are so proud of Mike.”
Spielman gave credit to Peter Hany as well. Hany is the director of the Ellington Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the primary CPR instructor for Ellington.
“Peter is an excellent teacher and leader of Ellington’s EMS team,” Spielman said. “We are thankful for his many years of dedicated volunteer service to the town.”
Michael Castro resides in Ellington and has worked for the town for close to three years. The Town of Ellington says all town employees were offered an opportunity to take the CPR certification training during the first two weeks of May, earlier this year.
In addition to Spielman and Hany, Ellington Emergency & Risk Manager Walter Lee and Town Administrator Matthew Reed also attended Tuesday's ceremony.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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