On Christmas Eve, 38-year-old truck driver William Brown from Alabama found himself in the middle of an unexpected crisis while navigating a highway route to New Jersey.
What happened: Brown, who was hauling flammable cargo, began to feel numbness in his hands that quickly moved to his arms and chest — symptoms that he knew could signal a heart attack.
- With heart issues known in his family, he called 911 right away, telling operators, "I think I am having a heart attack at the moment."
- Once at Allegheny Health Network in Wexford, doctors discovered a complete blockage in Brown's heart. He needed to be defibrillated multiple times as he struggled through the event, reported WPXI News.
The outcome: Brown survived what doctors are dubbing a "Christmas miracle." His survival is attributed not only to timely medical intervention but also to his awareness of his symptoms.
Looking ahead: As Brown continues to recover, doctors say he should be able to return home to Alabama soon. There, he looks forward to reuniting with his wife and nine children.