On Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, Tom Namey's heart stopped while he was driving. His foot hit the gas pedal in his car, sending the car crashing into a concrete wall within The Landings at Lake George.

Residents of the neighborhood heard the crash, including Albert Yonfa.  

  • Yonfa pulled Namey from the car, administered CPR for 10 minutes
  • Resusitation efforts worked, Namey revived
  • Doctors said Namey would not have survived without Yonfa's effort

“I was in the back yard with my daughter and we heard a tremendous crash.” Yonfa said. “I came running to the front yard and I immediately saw this wall had a 20 foot wide hole in it. There was rubble everywhere.”

Photo: News 13

Acting fast, Yonfa pulled Namey from the car. He immediately noticed Namey was unresponsive and not breathing.

“I just began those chest compressions over and over and over again," said Yonfa. "And mouth to mouth resuscitation over and over again.”

For 10 minutes, Yonfa worked to bring Namey back to life. Although his last CPR class was taken nearly 20 years ago, Yonfa told News 13 he remembered the motions and knew it was Namey’s best chance.

“Finally, he made a very deep inhaled breath.” Yonfa said.

Photo: News 13

Remarkably, his efforts revived Namey, and kept alive long enough to be treated by doctors at the local hospital.

“It takes quite a physical assertion to keep on pumping a chest and keep on going and not giving up and that made a big difference.” Namey said.

A big difference, indeed. Namey’s doctors told him that without immediate CPR, he would not have survived.

“I can certainly say that I appreciate every moment and every breath now that I take," said Namey. "I don’t take much for granted now."

Among those things he doesn’t take for granted is his newfound friendship with Yonfa. Two men who were strangers before this crash are now both heroes in the other's eyes.

Namey is still recovering from the crash — 12 of his ribs were broken because of it, and his heart is still weak.

But he said that pain is well worth this new chance at life, one he hopes to also share with Yonfa.