Key Takeaways
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Kaley Koppa suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed onto a bench while jogging along the Brisbane River.
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Bystanders immediately initiated CPR while nearby casino security personnel arrived with an automated external defibrillator.
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Though she was clinically dead, the rapid intervention of strangers successfully revived Koppa against the odds.
Everyday heroes unite to restart a woman’s heart in Brisbane
What began as a routine morning jog along the Brisbane River nearly turned fatal for 43-year-old Kaley Koppa, until a group of compassionate strangers stepped in to save her life. While running, Koppa began experiencing severe discomfort, clutching her arm before collapsing onto a nearby park bench and slipping into sudden cardiac arrest.
Witnessing her collapse and noticing that she had stopped breathing, several observant passersby sprang into action without hesitation. While one bystander dialed emergency dispatchers, others took turns administering life-saving chest compressions. Moments later, employees from the nearby Star Casino rushed over equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED). Casino security worker Trevor Tyrna, who had never operated a defibrillator during a real-life crisis, courageously stepped forward to help restart her heart.
Doctors later confirmed that Koppa had clinically died during the incident. Given that survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are typically around one in ten, the immediate, coordinated response of everyday citizens proved decisive. Expressing immense gratitude for the strangers who crossed paths with her that morning, Koppa shared that their quick action gave her an extraordinary second chance at life.
