McLean County 911 operator: ‘I knew from personal experience’ importance of CPR before helping save ISU student’s life

Posted on May 22, 2019
Illinois State University graduate Kevin Hutchinson, who’s seen here with his diploma outside Redbird Arena . (Photo courtesy: Kevin Hutchinson/Facebook).

 

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The 911 operator, who knew from personal experience the importance of helping save a life over the phone, was able to help save an Illinois State University graduate.

McLean County 911 operator Ed Wilson lost his 13-year-old daughter, who suffered from autism, last September from choking on food at his home. While Wilson dialed 911 to seek help to save the life of his daughter, little did he know eight-months later he would be on the other end of the phone helping save the life of an ISU student.

Just three weeks before graduation, ISU student Kevin Hutchinson’s heart stopped at a party, and friends immediately dialed 911.

“Evidently they were at a party, at a friends house on the ISU campus, and evidently he was during mid-conversation when he (Hutchinson) collapsed,” said Wilson. “They found out that he had a birth defect with his heart. He collapsed and his friends called 911. I got an address from them quickly and initiated the Normal Fire Department. As a dispatcher, I appreciate that you say that I saved his life, that’s not really accurate because what saved his life was one of the girls there had been trained in CPR.”

LISTEN: Hear the full interview as WJBC’s Blake Haas speaks with McLean County 911 Dispatcher Ed Wilson as he recounts the night he received the 911 call. 

After spending a little over a week at Advocate Christ Medical Center, Hutchinson was released. Wilson added going with Hutchinson to appear on Good Morning America was an emotional experience.

“I almost didn’t go to the show. I almost declined the show because I’m still dealing, our family is still dealing with, we have joined a club that we did not ask to join,” said Wilson. “Now he’s joined a club the he did not ask to join, now his membership is a lot lower than ours. A part of me didn’t want to go an celebrate his positive outcome when were still dealing with what happened with us.”

Wilson added he’s hoping his personal story and Hutchinson’s will help spread awareness of CPR training.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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