By Callan Date
A FORMER Narre Warren man has been officially recognised for his brave attempt at saving the life of a stranger last year.
Matthew Waixel was honoured with a Victoria Police Citizen’s Commendation last week – more than a year after he did his utmost to save a man who was lying on a footpath and not breathing.
Police said Mr Waixel, 20, came across the unconscious 60-year-old as he was walking to the Casey ARC.
“I actually saw him about 30 metres away and bolted over towards him and then went through all the checks,” he said.
There was no response and the former Eumemmerring College student quickly established the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse.
Mr Waixel called out for help before telephoning for an ambulance.
The St John Ambulance volunteer then tried to resuscitate the man while receiving assistance from an ambulance officer over the phone.
The man could not be revived and upon the arrival of ambulance officers he was pronounced dead.
“I was told he had a heart disease and his death was morn than likely from heart failure,” Mr Waixel said.
Mr Waixel was presented with a similar situation only months after the Narre Warren incident.
“I have actually done cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) since and the man survived.
“I was working with the St John Ambulance at the MCG when we got a cardiac arrest call,” he said.
Mr Waixel was volunteering with his father and the pair managed to work to save the man’s life.
Casey Inspector Bob Hill said despite his calls for help, no one came to Mr Waixel’s assistance during the Casey incident.
“In performing his attempts to revive the man, Matthew has shown commendable community spirit,” Insp Hill said.
“He did not have a barrier of any kind when he performed CPR and put himself at possibly risk of infection by assisting the man.
“Despite others ignoring his pleas for help, Matthew has tried to save a dying man without regard for his own convenience of safety.
“Such actions are certainly worthy of formal recognition,” he said.
Mr Waixel, who is now studying medicine with the Australian Army in Albury-Wodonga, said he would not hesitate if presented with the same situation again.
“I was ecstatic with the award. I was just happy to get a thank-you so this was fantastic,” he said.
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