‘It’s a miracle;’ Wrightsville Beach celebrates a life and those who stood up to save it
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH (WWAY) — The town of Wrightsville beach echoed tonight with the sounds of calm waters and community cheer.
First on the agenda for Thursday’s Board of Alderman meeting was a celebration of a life and of those who stood up to save it.
October 20th, a group of citizens observed a man laying face down and unresponsive in the surf. The man was Brian Tracy, an experienced surfer who had gone into a cardiac episode around 2pm. He was brought onto the beach by the bystanders, who called 911 and began performing CPR.
Police officers, firemen, members of ocean rescue, and a Wrightsville Beach ranger met them on the scene. Within minutes, the automated external defibrillator (AED) delivered a shock, and Tracy soon regained a pulse.
Today. the council chambers were standing room only as friends, family, and a healing Tracy awaited the chance to thank the citizens and public safety professionals who saved him.
Tracy took to the podium to present “citizen life saving” awards to each of those who played a part. Chuck Newton was among those honored, and he came a long way to see Tracy in good health.
“I came back from Tampa just to be a part of this. Because the last time I saw Mr. Tracy, he didn’t look as good as he does tonight,” he explained. He said that it’s served as closure to see how well Tracy is doing, and to be recognized for taking action.
“It’s just something we felt like we had to do,” Newton smiled.
As the ceremony closed, Tracy embraced friends – old and new – including lifelong friend, Tony Puente.
Puente met Tracy when he was a UNCW student enrolled in his class in 1982. From there, a friendship formed and, with that, the college’s surf club.
For him, seeing Tracy tonight was a miracle.
He added, “It’s so wonderful to see the community come together and make this a special event. It’s very special.”
Puente shared his gratitude for those honored, both for being there, and for being prepared.
Newton encouraged others who may find themselves in a similar situation: don’t stand by. “If you see something happen, take action. Because it can matter.”
