LANCASTER, Pa. – Maj. Mark Martella was driving on Route 30 on his way to work June 1 when he saw two vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
While driving past, he noticed two people outside and a man performing CPR for another who was unconscious and suffering a heart attack.
Martella, commander of the 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, Pennsylvania National Guard, pulled over to help the man performing CPR, Keith Still, an off-duty firefighter and paramedic.
While Still performed CPR, Martella performed mouth-to-mouth and assisted Still. Another unknown man also stopped to help. Emergency services were called and promptly showed up to assist.
Scott Little, chief of Manheim Township Fire Department, said Martella and Still played a key role in helping save the man’s life.
“Mark Martella was able to help Keith in helping this man,” said Little. “It was as good as it could have gone. If it was not for the actions of Keith and Mark, this family would have had a funeral this week.”
Little expected the man to make a full recovery.
Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, adjutant general of Pennsylvania, praised Martella on Twitter, saying that it was good to see Pennsylvania National Guard members stop and help those in need when many assume others will act.
“It’s really about coming together as a community for a good cause, humans helping humans,” said Martella.