Chris Marshall and Bill Gerow reunite after the life-saving incident on the LIRR last month. (Credit: CBS 2) Chris Marshall and Bill Gerow reunite after the life-saving incident on the LIRR last month. (Credit: CBS 2)

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Hugs and smiles were abound Tuesday as Good Samaritan Bill Gerow of Farmingdale met Chris Marshall of Ronkonkoma—a fellow commuter whose life Gerow saved last month as they both rode home on the Long Island Rail Road’s Ronkonkoma line.

“I really don’t remember anything about that day, except I felt a little queasy and thought I should sit down,” Marshall said.

Instead, Marshall stopped breathing and collapsed in full cardiac arrest into the arms of Gerow and his 15-year-old son Max.

Gerow immediately started CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as his son watched in horror.

“I thought he was going to die and I didn’t want to see anyone die. Then I saw my dad take action,” Max said.

After two heart-stopping minutes as the train rolled along, Marshall started breathing again. Doctors say without Gerow’s saving breaths, Marshall would have died.

“I call him a brother for life and I think he calls me the same thing and how do I feel about him? He saved my life,” Marhsll said.

The two families are now bonding and all of the children have promised to learn CPR.

“I’ve had so many people contact me to say since this story, that now have gone and gotten certified in CPR,” Marshall’s wife Margaret said.

Gerow said he didn’t expect to see a surge in CPR training inspired by his heroics. But he said he does look forward to now celebrating anniversaries of that fateful day with Marshall and his family.

On Tuesday afternoon, Nassau County officials honored Gerow’s heroics with a Good Samaritan Award.

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