Northampton EMS brings truck driver involved in Tuesday morning accident back to life

Quick response and action saved the life of a truck driver who suffered cardiac arrest early Tuesday morning on Route 13 in Cape Charles.

According to Virginia State Police, the call came in at 6:42 AM, reporting a single vehicle 2006 International 4000 series truck had lost control and rolled over. The driver was in cardiac arrest and not breathing when law enforcement arrived.

According to Greg DeYoung, Director of Northampton County Dept. of EMS, the crew from Northampton County EMS’s Cape Charles station arrived and found the driver, 54 year old Neil Cubides Ortiz of Perlock Road, Richmond, the only occupant, trapped inside the vehicle in critical condition. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse.

With the assistance of personnel from Cape Charles, Cheriton and Eastville Volunteer Fire Companies (several of whom arrived by private vehicle), the patient was quickly extricated from the vehicle and life saving measures were begun. The patient regained a pulse and was rapidly packaged and transported to a Virginia Beach hospital. The patient remained in critical, but stable, condition upon turn-over to the emergency room staff.

“I am honored to lead a great team of providers who possess the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to provide great service to the community,” said DeYoung. “The cooperation and partnership we have with our volunteer fire companies is remarkable and commendable as well.”