Borough of Ramsey honors former EMT who saved singer who collapsed
William Kelly helped save the life of Russell Martorana, who was suffering a heart attack.
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A hero who helped save the life of a singer is being honored nearly one year later.
Last summer, off-duty volunteer EMT William Kelly rushed to the aid of singer Russell Martorana who fell down and went into cardiac arrest during an on-stage performance at Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace in Ramsey.
"I immediately saw that it was not a good situation with the blood and saw that he wasn't breathing. There was no pulse,” says the now-former volunteer EMT. “I just started CPR for a while and then one of the officers showed up."
The Borough of Ramsey and the Ramsey Police Department recognized Kelly Wednesday night for his decisive action. They say if he hadn't been there, Martorana would have lost his life.
Martorana says he is now feeling better than ever. He showed up fully recovered to congratulate the man who rushed to his rescue. Martorana says he is now back to doing what he loves.
"When something like this happens, you realize, ‘Wow every day is now a bonus for me.’ No matter what happens in life, I got to see another holiday, another birthday, another new year. ” he tells News 12.
Kelly said that everyone who can, should jump in to make a difference.
"You never know who's on the receiving end of your act of kindness,” he says.
