GEORGE Langley Junior — the man who survived a severe electric shock — has come face to face with the man who helped save his life.
In an emotional reunion, Mr Langley was able to personally thank his saviour, Andreas Litras, who performed CPR in the moments after the freak accident on January 6.
“It just hits you in the heart, it just hits you deep down to think someone took the time out to come and help me,” Mr Langley said.
“It makes you realise you’ve really got to grab life with both hands.”
Mr Langley was erecting speakers at last month’s Cycling Australia Road National Championships in Buninyong when he suffered the electric shock, which sent him into cardiac arrest.
Mr Litras was nearby and rushed to the aid of the 44-year-old.
At a surprise party for Mr Langley on Saturday night, Mr Litras gave a graphic account of how he worked on the father of four before paramedics arrived.
“I saw a flash and I suddenly saw George collapse. I called the ambulance and raced over to the van (he was working on),” Mr Litras recalled.
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“It was too hard trying to communicate (to others) so I climbed up on the van to try and find out what was happening.
“I put my ear right next to his mouth and couldn’t hear a thing. He was blue and cold.”
Mr Litras said he was guided through the CPR process by a woman at the 000 call centre.
“I think I learned (CPR) when I was in high school, but that was a long time ago. She started talking me through it and was fantastic,” he said.
“I put my phone on loudspeaker so I wasn’t holding it. I was just working away and working away. I know the whole thing was about 15 minutes because when I hung up it was a 15-minute phone call, but it felt a lot longer than that.
“It was just impossible to tell (if he was improving) because his colour wasn’t changing and you are just working in hope. You just keep going.”
Mr Litras said the work of others, including a passing cyclist and Mr Langley’s workmate Ted Anderson, was vitally important.
“It wasn’t just me. I was the one that started working on him and then the cyclist helped and there was a lot of people supporting,” he said.
Mr Litras said Saturday night’s reunion was a special occasion.
“It was really quite emotional because I’d never met the man before, and the last time I saw him he was blue,” he said.
“It’s so beautiful to see all these people here. Clearly he is a good man, that’s why all these people are here.”
Mr Langley was humbled by Mr Litras’ actions.
The actions of Mr Litras has highlighted the importance of those first on scene.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said early treatment improved a patient’s chances of survival.
Mr Mullen said AV fully supported first aid courses, which helped members of the public do preparatory work before professionals arrived.
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