CPR saves man's life

Heather Faulkner revived Charles Thomas.

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12:19 AM Monday, February 6, 2012

By Skip Weaver

Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — Cassie Blair said it is “nothing short of a miracle” that her father Charles Thomas is alive today.

Thomas, 55, collapsed on the morning of Jan. 29 while walking across the parking lot of The Vineyard Community Church, 4900 State Route 123 in Franklin.

Blair said she was at home when she received a call telling her Thomas had died.

“The caller told me he didn’t have a pulse and he wasn’t breathing,” Blair said.

But the quick action of several people at the church, including Heather Faulkner, helped Thomas until medical personnel arrived on the scene.

“Something just completely took over,” said Faulkner, who was inside the church when someone ran in to say someone was down outside. “His face was blue and his tongue was purple. I haven’t had CPR training since ninth grade and I’m 40, but I just thought ‘I’m not going to let him die.’”

Faulkner, who is the wife of Franklin vice mayor Jason Faulkner, said she doesn’t remember much about the event.

“People have told me that I was screaming, ‘I’m not going to let you die,’” she said. “I don’t remember, but this was a complete group effort. I am just thankful to have been part of a miracle.”

“I told her she did an amazing job,” Jason Faulkner said. “I think the CPR made all the difference. I’m convinced I witnessed a miracle.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or Skip.Weaver@coxinc.com.

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