Laney High School Coach Bobbitt reconnects with first responders after heart attack

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Back in February, a Laney High School track and cross-country coach had a heart attack while running a marathon.  

The two Novant Health paramedics who responded were at Laney High School Monday saying hello and checking in on Coach Bobbitt. 

Laney High School teacher and track and cross-country coach Samuel Bobbitt suffered from a heart attack while running the Novant Health Wilmington Marathon in February.  

The first paramedic on the scene Brandon Grubbs said people nearby had already started CPR by the time he arrived. 

“Hands only CPR, the immediate CPR the bystanders, students, whoever was there with him because the race was still going on during all of this. I do believe that the CPR that was initially started was vital to the outcome that we have right now,” Grubbs said. 

First responders and Coach Bobbitt reunited at Laney High School Monday under better circumstances.  

Grubbs said it is not something they usually get to do. 

“Kind of surreal to meet up with somebody that I was able to play a part in during a horrible time in their life. Being able to walk up and see him standing there with little to no deficits, I’m not sure, is really awesome knowing that what we did that day mattered,” Grubbs shared.

Coach Bobbitt enjoyed catching up with those who responded to the incident. 

“It’s good to see the guys, I mean I had some come into the hospital when I was there to see how I was doing. I had a variety of people that were there running the race that were somehow in the right spot at the right time,” Bobbitt said with emotion. 

Coach Bobbitt said he is feeling good and taking things slowly back at school. 

“I think I am on the path, it’s really just trying not to rush coming back or getting back into what I used to do I think is the key,” Coach Bobbitt shared. 

Although there is still no reason as to why this happened…  

“Just be aware. I will say, if you are in the circumstance, listen to your body, I mean in my case, I guess I really didn’t know what happened. I guess having people around you and everyone knowing what to do is important,” Coach Bobbitt expresses. 

Grubbs adds, in this situation, being able to recognize someone in cardiac arrest and start compressions can really make a difference.