2 members of Morehead Fire Department have medical episodes while on emergency call

MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) — Leaders with the Morehead Fire Department announced on Friday that a firefighter and the department’s assistant chief, who also serves as the Rowan County coroner, both suffered medical emergencies while working with fellow first responders on Thursday night.

Morehead fire officials posted on Facebook

that on Sept. 4, while performing CPR on a patient, Lieutenant Tony Cooper went into sudden cardiac arrest. Those around him stepped in to help, and he was rushed to the University of Kentucky St. Claire Hospital.

Cooper was sent to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a medically induced coma, authorities said.

“As of this morning, he is in critical but stable condition,” department officials wrote.

After arriving at St. Claire, Assistant Fire Chief John Northcutt reportedly experienced chest pain and was taken into emergency medical care by doctors.

The MFD announced that thankfully, Northcutt, who also serves as Rowan County’s coroner, as well as Cooper, are both recovering next to each other at the ICU.

“Please keep Tony, his wife Melissa, their son River and the entire Cooper family, as well as John, Tina and the Northcutt family, in your prayers during this very difficult time,” Morehead fire crew members wrote.

In a news release on Friday, department leaders said Morehead’s community is built on the dedication of first responders like Cooper and Northcutt, who put others first every day, and said their families need the city to lift them in support.