A former Prince William County supervisor collapsed Tuesday evening while testifying at a Board of Supervisors meeting.
Seconds after John Stirrup collapsed, people in the room stood up and first responders quickly provided him with medical assistance, the Prince William County Board said. The meeting was held at 7:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at the McCoart Administration Building.
The cause of the collapse was not immediately released. Stirrup was taken to the hospital.
He served as the Gainesville supervisor on the board from 2003 to 2011. He's now running for a seat in the House of Delegates.
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County Executive Christopher Shorter acknowledged the first responders who rushed to help.
“What we saw in this response was absolutely amazing, and we want to thank you very much,” Shorter said.
A number of off-duty first responders attended the meeting because supervisors discussed the budget. Recently, Prince William County approved pay raises for the police department. The sheriff's office and fire and rescue department are lobbying for the same raise.
"Whether you do it because you're paid to do it, whether you do it because you volunteered to do it, it was the right thing to do,” said Kim Stewart of Prince William County Fire and Rescue. “Everybody needs help sometimes, and it's a very rewarding part of life to be the helper."
Witnesses described EMTs jumping over chairs to find an AED.
“We do it all the time, and we see it happen, and it's like, ‘Oh, this is what we do,’" said Jeremiah Kerlin of Prince William County Fire and Rescue.
The board also extended well wishes to Stirrup and his family.
Stirrup's campaign released a statement that reads in part, "John is now feeling much better, resting and even telling a few dad jokes to the hospital staff. He and Heidi are incredibly grateful for the first responders, medical team, and all those who have reached out and offered prayers and support."
The meeting will reconvene Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
