Hospitalman Apprentice’s quick thinking saves critically injured civilian motorist

NEWPORT, RI, UNITED STATES

10.15.2018

Story by Kathy MacKnight 

Naval Health Clinic New England

Newport, R.I. (NNS) - Hospitalman Apprentice (HA) Evan Stott checked into Naval Health Clinic New England (NHCNE) Newport, R.I., in May 2018, after completion of Corps School, and on June 22 he was headed home to Brockport, NY, when unforeseen traffic caused him to be at the right place at the right time.
Stott’s father, Terry, had picked him up in Newport, and several hours later outside of Albany, NY, they witnessed a motorcycle accident where the rider lost control of his bike, hit the guardrail and was thrown over 50 feet.
The impact from the crash caused the rider’s helmet to fly off and he was face down on the pavement. The victim’s right leg was severed and was approximately 20 feet away from his body.
Stott and his father were some of the first people on the scene and immediately HA Stott’s Corpsman training kicked into gear. Stott removed his belt and applied it as a tourniquet to the leg to stop the hemorrhaging and his father who is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Fireman, concentrated on getting the victim’s breathing stabilized.
They assessed the victim’s condition, aligned his limbs and moved him onto his back as he was having trouble breathing. They also managed to keep him conscious by talking to him while continuing his care until the ambulance arrived 20 minutes after the accident.
When asked about his ability to handle this type of medical emergency, Stott said, “Corps School teaches you to perform and the intensity of the training makes your response automatic. What I did is what any Corpsman would do.”
On September 16, Stott and his father had the opportunity to visit with Romero Jones, the critically injured young man, in upstate NY. Romero’s goal was to be able to stand to greet the Stotts after spending 2 months in the hospital and it was an emotional visit for all involved. Romero who is a nursing student has a long road ahead with additional surgeries on his jaw and leg, but he will recover to live a normal and productive life.
NHCNE Commanding Officer, Captain Marnie Buchanan, presented HA Stott with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal at command quarters on October 5. The award reads in part, “His quick thinking, rapid response and expert medical evaluation of a civilian motorist prevented possible loss of life. His heroic efforts were shining examples of the key principles of the command’s philosophy and the Navy’s core values.”

• Date Taken: 10.15.2018
• Date Posted: 10.15.2018 09:59
• Story ID: 296433
• Location: NEWPORT, RI, US