Praneeth Agalawatte, 22, was quick to calm a crowd and begin CPR after a senior collapsed on stage.
A Toronto Fire captain and Sri Lanka’s consul general were full of praise for a young hero who sprang into action during a moment of chaos at a community event recently. Praneeth Agalawatte, 22, was quick to calm a crowd and begin CPR after a senior collapsed on stage suffering an apparent heart attack on September 8 at Toronto Maha Vihara Buddhist temple.
Close to 100 people were attending a rehearsal event for “Basaka Warauna” an annual celebration for Sinhalese language in Canada, when the 82 year-old senior collapsed on stage during the oral competition.
“When Henry Munasinghe came on stage to recite his speech for the oral competition, we noticed something was wrong, he asked us if he could re-start his speech before he suddenly collapsed,” said Karunarathna Paranawithana Sri Lanka’s consul general Toronto, who was also a judge at the preliminary event.
Situation seemed hopeless: Consul General Karunarathna Paranawithana.
“Young Praneeth was decisive in controlling the crowd and took over the CPR,” he said. “He was professional and gave proper mouth-to-mouth until paramedics arrived.”
Karunaratne recognized Praneeth for his actions on Sunday in Toronto during the main Basaka Waruna event where he received rapturous applause from the audience.
TORONTO FIRE CAPTAIN PRAISES
Meanwhile, Toronto Fire Services commended Praneeth for his quick action.
Captain Daivd Eckerman, public information officer described praise from the captain of Pumper 234, the truck which arrived on scene to assist paramedics.
He took a leadership role among elders and others followed his lead and contributed. Nothing but praise…he made all the difference, he told the Sri Lanka Reporter.
Toronto Fire assisted EMS with transportation and the senior was able to regain vital signs.
Nine people have been saved in Toronto this year by early citizen intervention, according to EMS. CPR conducted by someone who is able to push hard and fast can make a huge difference during a cardiac arrest.
