Veteran saves friend’s life after he collapses outside Walmart

ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT/Gray News) - A Kentucky veteran was in the right place at the right time, able to save a friend’s life during a trip to Walmart.

Paul Morgan holds a number of titles: father, “Papaw,” former mechanic – and to his longtime friend, Larry, he’s now a lifesaver. Morgan was just outside Walmart in Rockcastle County when he saw his friend, and they began catching up, WKYT reports.

But soon after, Larry hit the ground.

“We were talking and going on. He turned and looked at me, and his eyes lit up. He just fell like a tree and hit that concrete. I thought he was dead, I’ll be honest with you. He just started turning blue, and I thought, ‘Lord, don’t let him die,’” Morgan said.

Morgan spent two years in the military, where he learned CPR, so he jumped into action to help his friend before the ambulance even arrived. After receiving CPR, Larry began breathing again.

Morgan watched the ambulance take Larry away to the hospital.

“When they were loading him, he looked at me and said ‘I’ll see ya, Paul!’ I knew then he was gonna be alright,” Morgan said.

It’s been 60 years since Morgan first learned CPR, but he says in the moment, something clicked, and the rescue felt instinctual.

“You don’t forget it. It’s just like learning to drive or ride a bicycle,” he said.

Eric Bullock, Morgan’s grandson, says the whole story is amazing.

“Papaw always thinks of other people before himself. It’s not really about him. He just wants to do what he can for other people,” he said.

Larry is now out of the hospital, and doctors say he is completely fine. He didn’t even have a concussion. But due to a family emergency, he couldn’t speak to WKYT about the man who saved his life.

Morgan was emotional while reflecting on the fact that because of his actions, Larry is still here and able to support his family.

“Life’s so uncertain, and I think the most important thing is to be ready to go. I would do it again for anybody,” Morgan said.

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