Former soap star turned Amtrak police officer Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew Buchanan, “One Life to Live”) is being heralded for saving the life of an Amtrak rail conductor who had stopped breathing at a train station in Philadelphia, PA.
In a report filed by the local ABC affiliate WPVI (6abc), when Amtrak rail conductor Steven Smart had a medical emergency requiring CPR, it was Officer Alderson who was first at the scene before the arrival of EMS paramedics.
“Luckily, the train was already here. All the doors were open,” said Alderson in an interview with the news station as part of its “Heroes on the Frontlines” segment.
“All we see is an unconscious man laying on the floor,” continued Alderson, recalling his arrival at 30th Street Station. “It comes down to the second, every second – especially a heart attack,” he added, discussing how a prompt response plays a significant role when trying to save a life.
WPVI (6abc)
Thanks to his having access to an automatic electric defibrillator or AED, Alderson was able to do everything he could to help Smart. “I was right on top of him doing CPR and then it stays shock advised, so then I have to jump back. I’m straddling. Trying not to touch his body. It was scary,” detailed Alderson of the situation.
After all his efforts, Alderson felt a slight pulse just before EMS arrived to take over medical response. Smart was immediately taken to the emergency room at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, part of Penn Medicine, located in the University City section of West Philadelphia.
WPVI (6abc)
Spending more than two weeks in the ICU at Penn, Smart recently reunited with Alderson for the WPVI story, where they could be seen hugging each other. “I’m looking at a real-life angel,” said Smart of Alderson. “He’s a real-life angel and he saved my life. I am grateful to him, my train crew that knew what to do.”
WPVI (6abc)
“I don’t like to deem myself a hero; I was just doing my job,” said Alderson, who received recognition by the police department for his life-saving skills. “You always hope for a good outcome… and luckily for him, it turned out ok,” he added, referring to Smart.
From 2003-2012, Alderson portrayed the role of Matthew Buchanan on “One Life to Live.” In that time, he appeared in an episode of “Law & Order” and starred in the movie “Changeling,” which starred Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie, among other roles. Alderson is also the younger brother of Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning, “One Life to Live” & “General Hospital; ex-Kiki Jerome, “General Hospital”).
“Eddie is a one of a kind person! So proud of him,” commented Alderson’s former “One Life to Live” co-star Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair Cramer) on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the news.
Watch the full segment by WPVI’s Christie Ileto below.