How the Lynbrook FD Revived Car Crash Victim

When Lynbrook emergency personnel arrived at the scene of an on Tuesday, they found a 3-year-old child in critical condition. Alexandra Dimenstein, of Oceanside, did not have a pulse, and had gone into cardiac arrest.

When the Lynbrook Fire Department's Emergency Medical Company, Extrication Team, and Second Deputy Chief Anthony DeCarlo reported to the accident at about 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 7, two passing motorists — one a New York City paramedic, the other a pediatric nurse — had already pulled Dimenstein from the vehicle and began administering CPR. Emergency Medical Company Capt. Tracey LaBarbera took over right away, securing the 3-year old to a stretcher and placing her in a fire department ambulance.

As Lynbrook Ex-Chief William Cosenza drove the ambulance to South Nassau Communities Hospital, LaBarbera started pumping fluids into Dimenstein's knee, while Lynbrook EMT Lynn Curtis established an airway and provided oxygen. Vulcan Co. First Lt. James Tucker continued to administer CPR. While still on the road, emergency officials were able to reestablish a pulse.

Once at the hospital, Dimenstein was placed on a ventilator. She was found to have a neck and leg fracture, and brain stem bleeding. The girl survived for two days on life support before she succumbed to her injuries. She died on Thursday.

Lynbrook fire chief Raymond Burke credited his department with reviving the girl at the scene of the crash, and later expressed sympathy for the girl's family.

"I would like to acknowledge the quick action by the Good Samaritans, but also the great efforts of the Emergency Medical Company paramedics who brought the child back to life," he said. "However, now we extend our prayers and condolences to the family for the loss of their little girl."

Lynbrook emergency officials had also tended to the girl's twin brother, who had a fractured arm and other undisclosed injuries, and the father, who was bleeding from the face after deployment of the vehicle's air bag. The two were taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital's trauma unit. Both are reportedly in stable condition.

Nassau police are investigating what caused the crash.

This article was submitted by Steve Grogan, public information officer for the Lynbrook Fire Department.