Cedar Rapids Resident Reunited with Lifesaving Responders

A 59-year-old cyclist met the individuals who saved his life after a cardiac arrest on a local trail.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Heart Disease

Cedar Rapids Resident Reunited with Lifesaving Responders

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Shawn Bergquist, 59, reunited with the first responders who performed CPR to save his life after he suffered a heart attack during a bike ride in May. Bergquist collapsed near Ely Rd SW and Wheatland Dr SW, requiring immediate intervention from friends and local police.

Why it matters

The survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest often depends on immediate bystander intervention and rapid arrival by emergency services. This incident highlights the critical importance of CPR training and access to automated external defibrillators.

Nationally, 85% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital do not survive. Shawn Bergquist, who is 59, has attended over 40 medical appointments since his collapse in May.

The players

Shawn Bergquist

He is a 59-year-old resident of Cedar Rapids who survived a cardiac event.

Keely Hanson

She is a police officer who arrived at the scene to perform CPR and deploy an AED.

The details

After Bergquist collapsed, his friends administered CPR until police officer Keely Hanson arrived to assist with chest compressions and prepare an AED machine. Bergquist has since received a dual chamber pacemaker and is preparing for further treatment.

In May, Shawn Bergquist suffered a heart attack during a bike ride.
The reunion between Bergquist and first responders occurred on October 3, 2026.
Bergquist is scheduled for bypass surgery in December 2026.
Bergquist hopes to return to cycling in the spring of 2027.

Health Landscape

The recovery effort follows the milestones established by the American Heart Association's Chain of Survival protocol. This case reflects the significant survival gap for out-of-hospital events where immediate intervention determines patient outcomes.

This event serves as a reminder for residents to maintain their CPR certification and understand how to operate local AED equipment. Following the medical milestone of a pacemaker, the patient is continuing a rigorous schedule of follow-up care and upcoming surgical intervention.

The takeaway

Immediate bystander intervention remains the most effective tool in improving survival rates for cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting. Training in life-saving techniques can directly bridge the time gap before professional medical personnel arrive at an emergency.