October 29th, 2020 – Three 15-year-old Bayport boys were recognized by Islip Town officials for saving the life of a motorist who had suffered a near deadly overdose while behind the wheel of his car. Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, Councilwoman Mary Kate Mullen and Executive Director, YES, MaryAnn Pfeiffer, presented Town of Islip Citations to Riley Spencer, Ethan Christophersen and Braedan Downey, for their quick-thinking actions.
The boys were bike riding on Saturday, September 12, when they came upon an unconscious motorist in the middle of Purick Street, Bayport. As they approached the still-running car, they found the driver unresponsive behind the wheel. After trying unsuccessfully to wake him, they immediately called 911, staying with the victim until first responders arrived on scene. The Bayport Fire Department arrived and administered two rounds of Narcan which revived the overdose victim.
Having acted with clarity and purpose during those few precious minutes between life and death, the boys gave first responders the time they needed to arrive on scene and administer aid, and gave the victim a second chance at life and sobriety, according to first responders.
The heroic effort occurred as Islip marked, ‘Islip Goes Purple,’ a month-long town-wide awareness campaign designed to prevent overdoses in conjunction with September is National Recovery Month. Storefronts along Main St. and the Islip Town Hall cupola were bathed in purple light, and street lamps were adorned with flags during September.
“Through the Town’s ‘Islip Goes Purple’ campaign, we have been able to increase the awareness that opioid and heroin use and overdoses are at epidemic proportions not only here, but across the country. There are resources available to those suffering from addiction, and to their families. I urge anyone in need of help to visit our website at www.islipny.gov/purple for more information. The boys’ actions saved a man’s life and prevented him from becoming yet another victim, another statistic, and we are so proud of them,” said Supervisor Carpenter.
According to the CDC, there were more than 70,000 opioid and heroin overdose deaths last year, more than any year in history. “These boys saved a life and by doing so, they have brought more awareness to this problem, and we are so grateful,” said MaryAnn Pfeiffer, Co-Chair, Town of Islip Opioid/Heroin Task Force.
“As a mom and as a Blue Point resident, I am so proud of them. This is an epidemic and this year has been the worst ever. We need to have more boys react like these three, and we need to end this epidemic,” said Mary Kate Mullen, Councilwoman and Town Board Liaison, Opioid/Heroin Task Force.
