Officer stops driver for speeding, saves his life

KENNEBUNK, ME -- Not many people can say they owe their lives to a near speeding ticket.

But 86-year-old Gavin Falconer can. He was pulled over Saturday by a police officer in Kennebunk, Maine. But shortly after handing over his license and registration, Falconer suffered an apparent heart attack and slumped over without a pulse.

Police say Officer Michael Harrington quickly transitioned from writing out a warning for the speeding infraction to administering CPR. A second officer then arrived with a defibrillator.

Falconer was brought to a hospital and is recovering. He tells WMTW-TV that he hopes to see the officer again and thank him.

Harrington says the incident is proof there is no such thing as a "routine" traffic stop.