N. Attleboro man thanks URI officers for saving his life

February 15, 2016 8:30 pm

A North Attleboro man who survived a terrible car crash on the URI campus back in December had the opportunity to thank the two officers credited with saving his life during a press conference on Monday.

64-year-old Barry Blomstedt says it’s hard to put into words exactly how it felt to finally meet officers Michael McCabe and Salvadore Bugge.

"You get palpitations. These gentleman saved my life,” said Blomstedt.

Blomstedt had just left a basketball game at the University when he suffered a medical emergency sending his car straight into two light poles. The car eventually stopped in the rock wall in front of the Health Services Building.

"I was the first on scene. I remember the car being surrounded by hundreds of people and the vehicle was on top of the stone wall with both airbags deployed,” said Officer McCabe. "He was sitting he the vehicle and we checked for a pulse and breathing. He didn’t have either one."

At that point, the patrolmen made the decision to pull Blomstedt from the car and start CPR.

"It’s not a matter of minutes, it’s a matter of seconds. And, to respond the way they did it’s heartening and I will remember it for the rest of my life,” said Blomstedt.

At Monday’s event, officers Bugge and McCabe received citations for their heroism that day.

"For me actually the best part of it is to see Barry’s wife and son here because you know it has such an impact on them,” said Officer Bugge.

"I feel as though I’m indebted to these two people for the rest of my life. I’m grateful, thankful there are so many words that I can say to express it. I really appreciate what you did,” said Blomstedt.

Blomstedt suffered several fractured ribs in the crash. He now says he’s feeling great and very lucky to be alive.