In July of 2025, a day at Sumter Motor Speedway quickly escalated into a serious emergency when an audience member fell, hit his head, and went into cardiac arrest. Thankfully, due to the quick actions and teamwork of the emergency personnel on-site, the man was saved. 

Three of those responders, Camrin Northrop, Jacob Mitchell, and Sean Sutton, are being honored by the American Red Cross for their heroic efforts. 

According to Camrin, the incident occurred unexpectedly during a race when a man in the stands suddenly collapsed. 

"He was just sitting there, and then out of nowhere, he fell down," Camrin explained. 

The emergency crew was notified right away, and the race was halted as responders navigated through the crowd. The team reached the patient in less than 90 seconds, a crucial time in a cardiac emergency. 

When they got there, they found the man not breathing and unresponsive. The team quickly started to help him, working together to do CPR, clear the airway, and get an automated external defibrillator (AED) ready.  

After the first round of CPR, the AED indicated that a shock was needed, so A shock was advised. After the shock, we had a pulse regain," Camrin said. 

While saving the man, Northrop also coordinated with the incoming EMS and helped manage the situation. With thousands of people watching, the pressure was really high, but the team stayed focused. 

"CPR is stressful because you’ve got somebody’s life in your hands," Camrin explained. This situation was extra stressful, accounting for the many eyes watching the events unfold. 

Security staff helped keep the crowd under control, which allowed the responders to work well in such a high-stress situation. In the end, the patient survived and recovered, attributing it to the teamwork, training, and quick action taken and learned by the team. 

"It just showed what teamwork and training can do in a critical moment," Camrin said. 

In honor of their efforts, Camrin Northrop and Jacob Mitchell are set to receive the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, which celebrates those who save or maintain a life while on duty. 

Sean Sutton will be awarded the Lifesaving Award Certificate of Merit, the highest honor given by the American Red Cross. This award acknowledges individuals or teams who apply skills gained from Red Cross training to save or sustain a life, and it is endorsed by the President of the United States and Red Cross leaders. 

Camrin Northop and Jacob Mitchell were nominated to receive the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. This award is given by the American Red Cross to an individual, or team of individuals, who saves or sustains a life, outside of a medical setting, as part of their employment or while on duty and had an obligation to respond. The certificate is signed by the Chairman of the American Red Cross and the President and CEO of the American Red Cross. 

This event highlights the significance of being ready for emergencies, where every moment is crucial until professional medical help arrives. The actions taken at Sumter Motor Speedway serve as a strong example of how training, collaboration, and quick decision-making can lead to saving lives. 

Train for the moments that matter. Visit redcross.org to sign up for a course today.