Off-duty South County Fire & Rescue firefighter Antonio “Tony” Robinson, who works out of Edmonds’ Station 17, was recognized Saturday for his efforts last summer to help save the life of a former Olympic rower who suffered sudden cardiac arrest on Lake Whatcom.
Charles Hamlin, 71, a rower in the 1968 Olympics, was on Lake Whatcom in June when he appeared to have a seizure. Robinson was in a nearby boat when he heard calls for help, so he swam to Hamlin’s boat and with help from others began CPR.
Once Hamlin was brought to shore, Bellingham firefighters and paramedics resuscitated him and took him to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
During the recognition ceremony at Lake Whatcom’s Bloedel Donovan Park Saturday, Hamlin — who is now fully recovered — presented to Robinson and other rescuers four of the five gold medals he won recently in Master’s Division rowing events in Florida.
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