MACON Last year, Derick Spellman fractured his tibia while playing an annual high school alumni basketball game. This year his heart stopped.

He plans to sit out of the next alumni game.

Third time's the charm, right? Spellman said.

But luck was what Spellman had last month when he abruptly collapsed and was immediately surrounded by medical personnel.

Carol Dodson, chief nursing officer at St. Marys Hospital, was in the right place at the right time Saturday, March 22.

That afternoon her youngest son, Casey, had convinced her to come out to the Meridian High School alumni basketball tournament. Dodson is from Macon, and her children went to Meridian schools. She even worked as the high school cheerleading coach for some time.

Her youngest of three children, Casey, graduated several years ago and was part of the basketball team that won state in 2009. He convinced Dodson to come out for the alumni basketball tournament after missing the morning game.

She hadn't been back to the newly renovated high school since Casey had graduated and was sitting in the bleachers catching up with other parents.

All of sudden, my son called my name out, Dodson said. And my son doesn't call me by name.

One of the players was spread out on the gym floor.

Original post:
Fast response, some luck saved Macon man whose heart stopped