Two Good Samaritans Saved Joyce King’s Life — and She’s Still Searching for Them

Every night before she goes to sleep, Joyce King thinks about two strangers she has never met—but who gave her a second chance at life.

The 68-year-old Beaconsfield resident is recovering from a massive heart attack that struck just days before Christmas in 2015. Today, she is back home and regaining strength, but her thoughts often return to the rainy afternoon when quick-thinking bystanders performed CPR and saved her life.

A Sudden Collapse Outside Tim Hortons

On December 22, 2015, shortly after 3 p.m., Joyce and her daughter were leaving a Tim Hortons restaurant near Brunswick Boulevard in Pointe-Claire. As they crossed the street in the rain, Joyce suddenly called out to her daughter—and collapsed onto the pavement moments later.

Strangers Acted Without Hesitation

A husband and wife stopped at a nearby red light witnessed the collapse. The man immediately ran to Joyce and realized she was not breathing. He called for his wife, a nurse, who rushed over and began CPR right away.

Bystanders quickly called 911, and one person held an umbrella to protect Joyce and the rescuers from the rain. Another woman from the nearby YMCA also joined in to help with CPR until Urgences Santé paramedics arrived and took over care.

Hospital Care and Recovery

Joyce was transported to Sacré-Cœur Hospital, where she remained unconscious for two days. She later underwent surgery to have a defibrillator implanted—designed to restore her heart rhythm if it ever stops again. After time in intensive care and a cardiac ward, she continued her recovery at a convalescence centre before finally returning home.

Though she is feeling stronger, the experience left her shaken.

“Very honestly, I am very scared,” Joyce said. “I don’t want it to happen again.”

Still Hoping to Say Thank You

Joyce often thinks about the couple who rushed to her aid. She doesn’t know their names or even what kind of car they were driving—but she wants them to know their actions mattered.

“It is people like themselves who make the world a better place,” she said.

This story was originally reported by Brenda O’Farrell in the Montreal Gazette. You can read the full original article here:
👉 Brenda O’Farrell: Looking for two Good Samaritans. Do you know them?

Why CPR Training Matters

Joyce King is alive today because CPR was started immediately.

Early CPR keeps oxygen flowing to the brain and heart until emergency medical services arrive. Anyone can learn these life-saving skills, and proper training can make the difference in moments like these.

If you want to be prepared to help in an emergency, consider enrolling in a Winnipeg First Aid offered by Winnipeg First Aid.

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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