L.I. Man Critically Injured In Car Wreck Meets Officers Who Helped Save Him
BAY SHORE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Christmas wish was granted on Long Island as a critically injured man met his life savers.
After a horrific car accident a year ago, it was touch and go for 20-year-old James Ness.
"James was in a very critical state," Southside Hospital's Dr. Rosanna Sabini said. "Time was of the essence."
L.I. Man Critically Injured In Car Wreck Meets Officers Who Helped Save Him
Ness was on his way to work at the Bay Shore Mall on Dec. 1, 2013 when another car struck his vehicle.
The fast action of Suffolk County police officers John McAuley and Michael Tenety kept Ness alive until an ambulance arrived.
"When we pulled out we knew it was a bad accident," McAuley told 1010 WINS. "When we approached the car we could see that he wasn't breathing effectively. He had a lot of facial injuries and head injuries, so we pried the door open and we were able to rapidly remove him from the vehicle."
As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, Ness can now walk and talk again, and credits police with his remarkable recovery.
"He ran over to the car and gave me CPR," Ness said.
Ness had to relearn how to do almost everything.
"How to walk, how to dress himself, and higher level things, like remember things day to day," Dr. Kristen Demertzis said.
After lengthy rehab for a traumatic brain injury, his only Christmas wish this year was to meet the officers who saved his life.
"To meet the police officer who saved my life that day. I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart," Ness said.
On Tuesday, that wish came true.
"I can't thank the doctors enough," Ness said. "I can't thank the Suffolk County Police Department enough. They kept me alive."
"Without you I wouldn't even be here to celebrate this Christmas," Ness told the officers during a tearful reunion.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Ness' mother, Lisa Ficarra, told reporters this will be a very special Christmas with focus on family, not gifts.
"You can't thank someone enough for saving your kid's life," Ficarra said.
The pair of hero cops said they rarely get to see a happy ending.
"We were honored that this is what you wanted," PO Michael Tenety said.
"It's not a job where we get many thanks, but something like this is great," PO John McAuley added.
Now, Ness' younger brother wants to be a first responder.
"You affect dozens of people, just by saving one person's life," Harley Ness said.
Ficarra said the family has added two more members, and the officers have been welcomed for Christmas dinner or any other day of the year.
James Ness plans to return to college and become a physics teacher. He was in his first semester when the injury occurred.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:
