MIRACLE IN MELVILLE: Northwell staff spring into action when 83-year-old man collapses at LI ATM

MELVILLE, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — An 83-year-old Long Island man began a transaction at his bank's ATM in front of a Northwell Health building in April and then collapsed. In an amazing caught-on-camera moment, a group of healthcare staff jumped to save the man’s life, and he had the opportunity to thank them in person on Thursday

“I see it and I still don’t believe it,” Daniel Greco, of Lake Grove, said of the surveillance video depicting his rescue. “I did not have a heart condition.”

On the afternoon of April 30, Greco was at his bank’s ATM when he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed on the floor of a corporate lobby. Fifteen seconds later, process improvement engineer at Northwell NetworkCare Kalie Kerschbaumer walked by with her one-year-old son JJ in her arms.

“My mom doesn’t bring my son to me until 2:45, I was called to go out that day early,” Kerschbaumer said. “I truly believe that God was watching over.”

Kerschbaumer ran into her office and screamed to her colleagues that “There’s a man down in the lobby,” drawing the attention of a trio of nurse practitioners.

When Whitney Sinowitz could not find a pulse, she began CPR. Samantha Meguluevich and Cristina Farrell followed with a defibrillator, and 52 seconds later, Greco’s heart began to beat again.

Practice nurse Ivonne Recupero switched off doing CPR, and the rest of the Northwell team came to aid Greco as he was brought back to life twice, the healthcare network said.

“You know and immediately your instincts just kick in,” Kerschbaumer, who was trying to remain calm while in the presence of her son, said.

Following the incident, Greco was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and received tests that led to a triple bypass surgery. He was discharged to rehabilitation after one week and made a full recovery.

The staff at Northwell “did a fantastic job in allowing me another life,” Greco said. “I feel like I was given another life.”

Greco is celebrating 55 years of marriage with his wife Bonnie and has seven grandchildren.