Man collapses and dies 19th & K St Today 6pm

[Anonymous]

We were crossing at 19th and K St this evening after work and man suddenly collapses and stops breathing. We administer CPR and call 911. The man stops breathing and statrs turning a blueish tint. The first responders rip open his shirt and cut his pants and start shocking him but he does notawake. We give the ambulance his briefcase andcontiune to stand on the corner in shock. I keep wishing that Id gone in his briefcase and tried to find out his identitgso that I could let his wife or daughter or someone know that hed just suffered a medical emergency. I feel so bad thathis next of kinhave no idea whathas happened. Whats worse Is that a lot of us kept saying that weve seen that man before. His face was definitely familiar... he works around 19TH and K. Sorry if Im rambling Im still in shock.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry. For you and his family. How terrible.

[Anonymous]

OP, you're sweet to want to have contacted his next of kin. But even you admitted you are still in shock a couple of hours later. It's for the best that the EMT people will notify his family - they are trained to do this and are prepared to deal with whatever reactions the family will have.

[Anonymous]

I work near that area. Thanks for doing all you could to help this man.

[Anonymous]

Can u describe him? I work there, for a very high stressed boss.

[Anonymous]

so good of you to try to help him. how old do you think he was?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can u describe him? I work there, for a very high stressed boss.

Caucasian
Medium to thin build
5 ft 10 in
Salt and pepper hair
In his 50's
Dressed business casual
Button down shirt light colored
Dark slacks maybe drk gray
Actually it wasnt a brief case it was a black messenger bag that he was carrying. It had one zippered compartmemt on the side but no logos or anything
He wasnt wearing a coat or jacket

[Anonymous]

I once got out of my car to help a man in a wheelchair cross the street. I had the kids in the car and I could only go a short distance with him. I got back in my car, drove two blocks, ran through McDonald's drive through and by the time I was pulling out of McD's the man had been hit by a car and killed. It stayed with me for a long, long time.

It was so haunting and there was nothing I could do because I didn't know his name. So I left a message with the ER staff to give the next of kin. I don't know if they got it or not but I felt a little better.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry OP. But I think it was better that you didn't get the man's contact information. I think it would have been all the more upsetting, to be the bearer of such news, and to have been asked uncomfortable questions -- what for instance if they asked you point blank if he was still alive? If you find out who he was, you can send a note and explain that you and others tried to save him. That would mean well. I'm sure you are traumatized. Be gentle with yourself in this.

[Anonymous]

Actually, the way Washington works, there's a very good chance the next of kin will find this. They will be happy to know that someone cared for him and tried to help him in his last moments.

[Anonymous]

OP, I was crossing over K street and saw the first responders working on him, too. It was so awful and my immediate thought (after hoping he would be okay) was for his family too. I didn't know the outcome until I read this and I'm so sorry that he passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

[Anonymous]

I work there as well.
Any local news stories on this?

[Anonymous]

OP, you are a good person for trying to help the man. I'm sure it was a very upsetting experience. The PP who spoke of having a trained person notify the family is correct. Take care.

[Anonymous]

I was there while all this was happening and my first instinct was I hope his next of kin is notified. He gained conciousness after being administered CPR by onlookers but I felt the emergency medics didn't do anything other than tear his clothes and be rough with him. I remember clearly seeing his face hit the floor with force when the EM took the bag from under his head. Why didn't they try to resucitate him right there and then. I was really really upset. The lady tried to talk to the EM as she handing his bag to them. Hopefully they were able to find some ID. God bless all those who administered CPR. The rest of us on lookers were just praying that this man was ok. May your Soul Rest in Peace. To the family, I am so sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

Several years ago my father collapsed on the street and a woman passing by tried CPR and another person ran down the block to the firehouse to get EMTs. The police contacted a neighbor who tracked down my sister who got to the hospital to be told he had died. By the time my mother was tracked down, the woman who had tried CPR was also st the hospital. Everyone was in shock and no one got her info, but I am always grateful that she acted, and tried tosavehim. And that he wasn't alone on the sidewalk.
If you see an obituary I would suggest writing them a letter of sympathy. It will bring them the tiniest bit of solace that there were caring people around him.