Fan taken to hospital from Bruins practice

WILMINGTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- A fan needed medical attention after collapsing in the stands during Boston Bruins practice Thursday morning.

Off-duty Littleton EMT Terry Gardner jumped into action at the Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington just as the Bruins practice was getting underway. The fan had collapsed and stopped breathing.

“You maybe take a half a second, you go, ‘Why’s that guy screaming call 911?’ and then you sort of just go -- kind of let your training take over,” said Gardner.

Gardner, who is also a Concord police dispatcher, was joined by Wilmington officer Daniel Deon, who was on police detail at the practice. The two used an automatic emergency defibrillator to get the 37-year-old male breathing again before he was rushed to the hospital.

“It did get a little hectic for a minute, but once people realized the gravity of the situation people quieted down, cleared out some space so we could move,” said Deon.

Bruins coach Claude Julien cleared the ice while emergency responders were stabilizing the victim.

“I think the last thing they needed was to hear pucks going off the glass and that and I think out of respect we just let them do their job,” said Julien.

The duo didn’t look for any accolades.

“Anyone in my position with any training like that would do the same,” said Gardner.

“I don’t [feel like a hero]…Part of my job every day,” said Deon.

The fan was transported to Winchester Hospital. His condition is not known.