Sophia Furtado was delivering a pizza to Caryn Hebert Sullivan, but when she arrived at the Massachusetts home, she found the woman unconscious and bleeding on her front steps.
Fortunately, Furtado has had EMT training and she jumped into action to save her, first going inside to wake up Sullivan’s husband and asking him to call 911 and get towels and blankets. The driver held Sullivan’s head, stabilizing her spine and neck to prevent further injury, and she continued helping when first responders arrived.
Fairhaven Police Officer Jillian Jodoin, her partner and Furtado were able to stabilize Sullivan and she was taken to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with two severe brain bleeds. They say Sullivan would have died without Furtado’s actions. After surgery and three weeks in the hospital, she’s recovering and she’s beyond grateful for her delivery driver’s life-saving efforts. “She was my guardian angel,” says Sullivan. “If I didn’t have her, I’d be dead.”
Furtado has been recognized with an award from the Fairhaven Police Department and a $1-thousand educational grant for her dedication to her community. A local EMT school also awarded her a $1-thousand scholarship so she can pursue a career as an EMT.
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