Inmates in Texas broke out of a holding cell to help save the life of a guard suffering a suspected heart attack.
CCTV captured the group of eight handcuffed prisoners react after spotting the armed guard slumped over having lost consciousness.
The inmates at Parker County jail in Weatherford, Texas, were being held in the basement of a courthouse when the drama unfolded.
“He just fell over. Looked like an act. Could have died right there,” inmate Nick Kelton told KHOU.
CCTV captured the group attempting to assist the guard whose heart had stopped. “He stopped breathing. They couldn’t find a pulse on him,” said Capt Mark Arnett, of the Parker County Sheriff’s Office to NBC News in an interview.
One of the men attempted to radio for help when they realised he was not breathing, while the others shouted and banged on doors to try and get the attention of officers upstairs. “We were worried they [were] going to come with guns drawn on us.”
“I watched him die twice. It never crossed my mind not to help whether he’s got a gun or a badge. If he falls down, I’m gonna help him… He’s a good man.”
Capt Mark Arnett explained, “They grabbed his radio and tried to radio for help.”
“He was just talking to them, and he just kind of collapsed. As soon as the jailer went down, they started to yell. All the inmates, they’re in handcuffs. We just stick them in there so they’re not wandering around and so they don’t grab somebody’s gun. They definitely saved his life. There’s no doubt about it,” he added.
Deputies performed CPR before paramedics arrived and used a defibrillator to shock his heart. The prison guard is expected to return to work next week thanks to the prisoners.
Courtesy: Telegraph
