German consulate in Alicante honours police who saved a tourist on a bus

Officers from the Local Police and the National Police in Alicante have received recognition from the honorary German Consulate in Alicante for their humanitarian efforts after saving the life of a 64-year-old German tourist who suffered a cardiac arrest whilst travelling on a city bus. Officers from both forces coordinated rapidly to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques on the victim for eight minutes, as well as using a semi-automatic defibrillator, which kept him alive until healthcare services arrived, according to municipal sources in a statement.

The honorary German consul in Alicante, Nuria von Kapff, highlighted the great humanitarian gesture of the five responding officers and extended sincere gratitude on behalf of the rescued German citizen, his family, the German state, and society. She added that they warmly and respectfully appreciate the action, which demonstrates the professionalism and coordination of the security forces and conveys a magnificent image of humanity from Alicante and Spain.

The events took place in the mid-afternoon on 12th June, when Local Police officers were alerted that a man had lost consciousness inside a public bus. Once at the scene and after evacuating the passengers from the vehicle, they confirmed that the victim was in cardiorespiratory arrest, without a pulse or breathing, and began resuscitation manoeuvres at 17:23. At that point, two officers from the National Police joined the rescue efforts, with the four taking turns in the resuscitation manoeuvres. This included the use of a semi-automatic defibrillator provided by the National Police, which delivered up to three recommended shocks.

A Basic Life Support ambulance immediately joined the officers in the rescue efforts, and after eight minutes of CPR, the man recovered his vital signs, breathing again and regaining a pulse. An emergency medical team (SAMU) that arrived at the scene then took over his care. Although he had recovered his vital signs, his condition remained critical, so medical services fully stabilised him before transferring him to the General Hospital of Alicante, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

The Security Councillor, Julio Calero, who attended the recognition event, highlighted that the work of the officers from both police forces reflects not only their professionalism in preventing and fighting crime, but also their humanitarian response when citizens need it. He added that officers undergo continuous training throughout their careers, attending CPR and defibrillator training courses to ensure they have the necessary knowledge to act during emergencies.