By Kathy Gallant

Truck driver revived by Tolko employees returns to work

Aug 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

George Nonay said he’s forever grateful to be ‘on the right side of the grass’ thanks to fast-acting responders at Meadow Lake Tolko OSB division site.

In May, he was delivering a load to the mill, and when he got out of his truck, he collapsed. Four employees began CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) on him until ambulance crews arrived from Meadow Lake, nearly 30 kilometres away.

He has spent the summer months recovering, and as a commercial driver, he had to wait a customary 90-day period before he was insurable to drive again. He returned to work in mid-August and said he’s beyond thankful for the mill’s emergency staff and their knowledge, adding he doesn’t remember any of the May 2 incident.

“I’m very relieved for their level of training,” Nonay said. “And their ability to perform in the manner in which they did. [It was] something very traumatic to walk up on a person in the condition I was in and see me lying there.”

He said the entire experience gave him a new outlook on life.

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“I’ve become more self-aware of a few things to be watching for,” Nonay said. “Definitely is a life changing experience. A good bunch of people, and nothing but the utmost respect for all involved.”

Angie Benz, one of the employees who assisted during the rescue, has kept in touch with Nonay since his heart attack. She said when he stopped by the office last week, and it was a meaningful reunion for all. 

“It was a big relief to see him in person,” she said. “And in a better condition than what I [saw] him in last time. So we all had supper together.”

She said it was amazing to see him in a better state, and it’s hard to describe the feeling of knowing she and her colleagues gave Nonay a second chance at life.

“[Him] being able to work again is great,” Benz said. “You don’t ever know how it’s going to affect somebody. “It’s a good feeling knowing [we] helped somebody and they’re able to continue living, especially since he has three kids, and they still have their dad.”

She said the group shares a bond, and have become like a big work family.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath