UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Union County man is back home, he says “by the grace of God," after nearly dying of a heart attack at a medieval castle in Europe.
David Motte said he doesn’t remember one of the scariest days of his life but believes it was also one of his luckiest.
Motte and his wife, Joy, were in Ireland, almost at the top of the Blarney Castle, when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.
"I have absolutely no memory of most of that day,” Motte said. “My heart completely stopped."
In the small group of tourists with him were a French paramedic and an Irish police officer, and they rushed to Motte’s aid and performed CPR.
Motte didn't have a heartbeat for nearly 12 minutes, while his wife stood by, praying.
"She had to watch it and she saw my eyes glaze,” Motte said.
“A lot of things were going through my mind,” Joy Motte said. “I'm going to be leaving Ireland alone."
A Coast Guard helicopter hovered overhead and dropped a paramedic down to care for Motte. The paramedic found no pulse but was able to bring Motte back, while taking him to the hospital.
Motte said he remembers being aware that he was gone, and then he heard his wife's voice.
“If there has to be an upside of leaving the presence of God, it's coming back to the wife you love,” Motte said.
The Mottes believe it's a miracle that they're back in their Union County home together and that there's no permanent damage to his heart.
"There is no coincidence in this,” Motte said. “I have no doubt that God orchestrated the people that were there, the actions they took."
The Mottes said they hope to go back to Ireland and thank those rescuers and finish their trip by kissing the Blarney Stone.
Cox Media Group
