Heroic Act by Philadelphia Uber Driver
In an incredible act of heroism, a Philadelphia Uber driver named Taras Zvir, 38, recently saved a passenger who experienced a cerebral hemorrhage during a ride.
Zvir, who had just begun driving for Uber while also working on his startup, was driving Justin Anderson, 41, on February 25th. They had been having a casual conversation, discussing music and Uber driving, when everything changed.
As their ride neared its end, Zvir noticed something alarming: Anderson’s head started to sway, and his breathing became irregular. “I thought he was choking,” he recalled. Despite Zvir’s attempts to help him, Anderson was unresponsive.
Realizing the severity of the situation, Zvir quickly called 911 and was instructed to perform CPR. Fortunately, his previous experience as an ambulance driver had equipped him with crucial life-saving skills. “I pulled him out, put him flat on the ground, and started CPR,” Zvir said, maintaining the effort for about six to eight minutes until emergency services arrived.
Afterward, doctors confirmed that Anderson had suffered a spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage due to an undiagnosed arterial condition known as arteriovenous malformation. A CT scan revealed a large subdural hematoma, which necessitated urgent surgery to alleviate pressure and prevent further damage.
Anderson’s mother, Deborah, expressed her gratitude, stating that if Zvir hadn’t been there, the outcome could have been tragic. “If he had been home alone or driven himself, he wouldn’t be alive today,” she remarked. She said she was incredibly thankful for the quick thinking of Zvir.
At the time of the incident, Anderson was stepping into a new job and was the father of a 17-year-old daughter. Fortunately, he is now on the road to recovery, showing small signs of improvement, such as being able to blink in response to his mother’s questions.
Zvir, for his part, is humble about his actions, simply stating, “I saw someone who needed help, and I helped.” He remains in contact with Anderson’s family and looks forward to reconnecting once Anderson is fully recovered.
