If it weren't for Troopers Odean Hansel and Ryan Kauffmann, a man found unresponsive on the New Jersey Turnpike Thursday might not be alive, according to State Police.

At 2:21 p.m., both troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash northbound at milepost 36.9 in Mount Laurel Township, State Police said. There, they found the unresponsive man in his vehicle on the left shoulder.

The troopers performed CPR and used an automated defibrillator once until paramedics arrived, State Police said. The man regained a pulse and was transported to Virtua Memorial Medical Center, they said.

An announcement from State Police didn't disclose the identity of the unresponsive man or say how he came to be in distress.

Hundreds of people praised the troopers on a State Police Facebook post about the incident Friday.

"Love stories that show how important our police officers are," Diane Nelson wrote. "These men and women give their lives daily and put themselves into danger for others."
Nicholas Tino echoed that sentiment: "They do these kind of things every day and rarely get a word of thanks. Thank you for this wonderful post."

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM