Irish rugby fan Sara Hartigan has been hailed as a hero after her quick thinking and actions saved the life of Waikato rugby's Dean Herewini.
Hartigan, who was in New Zealand on tour to support the Irish rugby team, came to the aid of Herewini in early July at Eden Park, performing CPR on the 56-year-old after his heart stopped beating in his car.
Despite Herewini’s heart stopping for close to a minute, Hartigan was able to bring him back, with the 42-year-old former lifeguard saying that event seemed like something out of Hollywood.
“We were trying to get the seat back. I couldn't tell you how long it took but the sweat was pouring off me,” Hartigan said.
“I was calling out, 'Can you hear me, come back to us' like you see in the movies.
“Then he took a massive big breath and just woke up.
"The stars certainly aligned for us."
It seems that Hartigan’s incredible effort has not gone unnoticed, with close friends of ‘Deano’ eager to reward the woman that saved their friend's life.
Tom Hall, the Global CEO of Sporting News, holds a close personal friendship with Herewini, which was fostered through the Hong Kong rugby scene.
Hall reached out to Hartigan to thank her, and offer her two tickets and hotel accommodation for one of Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup group games, in a letter that praised her selfless actions.
“Thank you for your prompt and instinctive action that saved the life of Deano… I also saw his daughter grow up in Hong Kong, so I know what your actions meant to her and his family,” Hall wrote.
“Your actions have ensured that we will again get to have a BBQ with Deano at the Hautapu Rugby Club, NZ.”
But Hall was not the only one of Herewini’s friends eager to repay the person who saved his life, with Cathay Pacific Airways Chairman Patrick Healy also offering to reward Hartigan, this time in the form of two return business-class to Hong Kong, as well as tickets to the Hong Kong Sevens event.
In his letter, Healy reiterated the significance of his friend to not only himself but also the Hong Kong rugby scene at large, and in turn the significance of her actions.
“To lose Deano at such a young age would have been unspeakable, so THANK YOU for your heroic actions in saving Deano’s life,” Healy wrote.
“Deano is a stalwart of Valley RFC, Hong Kong’s finest and proudest rugby club.”
“He has a special place in the heart of everyone at Valley, and indeed everyone connected with Hong Kong rugby.”