Grateful Winnipeg Man Thanks Strangers Who Saved His Life

For Mark Smith, Christmas came early in 2016—with a gift far more meaningful than anything wrapped under a tree. He was given the gift of time.

In December 2015, the 62-year-old was out for an evening jog along Wellington Crescent in Winnipeg when his heart suddenly stopped. Smith collapsed on the sidewalk, unconscious and not breathing. What happened next is a powerful reminder of how first aid knowledge and CPR training can save lives.

Strangers Who Became “Angels”

Across the street, teacher Jaime Boulerice noticed something unusual on the sidewalk.

“I looked across the street and said, ‘Is that a rock or is that a man?’”

Boulerice and her close friend Liz Morales rushed over and quickly realized Smith was in cardiac arrest. They helped lay him safely on the ground while another bystander immediately began CPR. A second man called 911.

For approximately 10 minutes, CPR was performed before paramedics arrived. Smith was defibrillated at the scene and again in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. That rapid response—by complete strangers—kept him alive.

“That intervention was everything,” Smith later said. “Without this angel, I was gone. I was hanging on by a thread.”

Waking Up to a Second Chance

Smith has no memory of the collapse. The next thing he remembers is waking up five days later in a hospital room after undergoing triple bypass surgery. Doctors had lowered his body temperature to protect his brain from damage caused by lack of oxygen.

As he recovered, Smith learned that CPR had been performed on him for about 10 minutes before emergency responders arrived. Less than eight per cent of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. Early CPR played a critical role in his recovery.

A Long-Awaited Thank You

For Boulerice and Morales, the experience stayed with them long after that December evening.

“There were so many times we wondered, ‘Did he make it? What happened to him?’”

Nearly a year later, Smith was finally able to meet and thank them in person. The reunion was emotional for everyone involved.

“I want them to know the outcome of their efforts,” Smith said. “I am alive today. I’m still part of my family’s life. That means everything.”

Why CPR and AED Training Matters

Mark Smith’s story highlights a simple but critical truth: early CPR saves lives.

When cardiac arrest occurs, every second counts. CPR helps maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs until emergency responders arrive. The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), when available, can further improve survival rates.

The people who helped Smith were not doctors—they were everyday citizens who recognized an emergency and acted without hesitation. Proper CPR and AED training gives people the confidence to step in during those crucial first moments.

You can also read the full original news story detailing Mark Smith’s experience and reunion with his rescuers on CBC News here:
👉 Grateful Winnipeg man thanks strangers who helped save his life

About The Author

Mark Kascha

Certified First Aid Instructor Trainer with 30+ years of real-world experience, including lifeguarding, workplace emergency response, and first aid program development across Canada. Has worked with WorkSafeBC, WSIB, and Manitoba Health.

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Last reviewed: March 2026

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