Two People Saved Following Overdose In Parking Lot

It could happen in your town, it can be observed on the nightly news or on a multiple number of reality television shows, but it happened in Sullivan on Friday afternoon.

Two adults were rescued following an overdose, believed to by fentanyl.

Sullivan Police, Fire and Missouri Baptist Ambulance responded to 6 East Springfield for two adults unconscious and not breathing in a van in the parking lot at 1:09 p.m.

Emergency services personnel arrived on the scene at 1:10 p.m. They quickly removed a female from behind the wheel of the parked van and a male from the van's front passenger seat, while a third elderly person exited the rear of the vehicle not involved in the particular incident cause.

Two ambulance crews, police and fire, worked to revive the two adults through NARCAN, oxygen, and chest compressions.

In a scene from television, it took several anxious moments before the two subjects came back to consciousness following the overdose.

The two subjects refused medical attention or transport to Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital and were allowed to leave the parking lot some 30 minutes later following the initial call.

The Sullivan Independent News has learned that the pharmacy was contacted about whether they had Narcan. A call to Sullivan Police was also made moments before the incident, in which the caller questioned a dispatcher on where they could obtain NARCAN.

Moments later, the subjects, possibly involved, were found unconscious in the parking lot in the vehicle.

The small Facebook post on the incident appeared on the Sullivan Independent News Facebook page moments following the incident. The post reached nearly 40,000 people, had well over 500 comments and had created a lengthy discussion.

Some posts asked why the two individuals were allowed to leave without going to jail? Others focused on the problem of drug addiction not only local but nationwide. Another post was upset that the photograph, not showing the identity of the victims nor license plates, was posted on the site for fear or a family member finding it.

Sullivan Police Lt. Patrick Johnson was asked why the two individuals were not arrested.

Johnson stated that this was due to Missouri's "Good Samaritan Law." The law (RSMO 195.205 says the person who actively seeks emergency medical help in the instance of an overdose (or other medical emergency) and the person experiencing the medical emergency, will be protected from minor drug and alcohol violations.

The law does not provide immunity for those conducting distribution of controlled substances, manufacturing of drugs, or active arrest warrants.

Many of the posts battled back with words on drug addiction and whether it’s a sickness and why people don't seek help.

The third post comment regarding why the picture was posted and fear of a family member finding out is relatively clear.

"I happened to be on the scene of this incident and watched things unfold before my eyes," said James Bartle, Publisher. "The photographs taken did not reveal the identity of the individuals and did not expose the license plate of the vehicle. It was also clear that both patients had recovered prior to the Facebook picture and post being released.

"Taxpayer dollars were being used to render aid to these individuals and save their lives; however, as a community, we have to know what we are dealing with. This photograph and incident shed light on the topic in hopes to bring someone closer to receiving some counseling for treatment or someone seeing the reality of what could happen."