Bystanders save Wellington 17-year-old's life after he went into cardiac arrest while driving

Bystanders save Wellington 17-year-old's life after he went into cardiac arrest while driving
Photo credit: Newshub

Members of the public have been credited with saving the life of a 17-year-old boy after he went into cardiac arrest while driving on Thursday afternoon.

The teen was driving a car in Johnsonville along Burma Road when the situation occurred.

It is unknown whether the car had stopped beforehand or if he stopped because he felt something was wrong, reports Stuff.

His sister, Sophie Johnson, was with him at the time and thanked everyone who stepped in to help for "doing everything I couldn't do."

"I don't know anyone's names who helped us, and if it wasn't for them, he wouldn't be alive. And he's only 17," she told Stuff.

The boy was in critical condition in Wellington Regional Hospital on Friday after being put in an induced coma, reports Stuff.

Wellington Free Ambulance medical director Dr Andy Swain said it was the action of bystanders that saved the boy's life.

"We would like to take the opportunity to honour the bystander or bystanders who performed CPR and kept the young man alive until our crews arrived with a defibrillator to help."

The reason the boy went into cardiac arrest has not yet been established, and it is exceptionally rare for a 17-year-old to go into cardiac arrest.

Wellington Free Ambulance spokesperson Sarah Coulthard told Stuff two ambulances and several staff were sent to the event, and it was great to hear that bystanders had helped the boy.

"If you know how to do CPR, then absolutely do it, and keep going until help arrives. Doing something is always better than doing nothing."

Newshub.