During a routine phone conversation with Newton's permit and road inspector, a National Grid employee in Waltham, Patrick Locke, grew alarmed as the inspector's speech became slurred and disjointed.
Locke speaks with inspector Jim Mula, who lives in Waltham, on an almost daily basis.
Locke, who comes from Melrose, said he knew something was wrong during the conversation on Dec. 28 last year.
"I call Jim whenever National Grid has crews working in Newton, and he calls me when he has gas-related issues in Newton," said Locke. "We speak to each other almost every day."
"He was not able to complete a sentence," said Locke. His sentences were "disjointed" and his speech contained only "partial words."
Locke said Mula kept repeating his name.
At this moment, Locke said he realized Mula was exhibiting signs of a stroke.
Mula conducts much of his work from his car, said Locke. "I thought he was sitting in his car somewhere," he said, trying to figure out Mula's location.
To reach him quickly, Locke tried to get Mula to tell him where he was.
Finally getting Mula to provide him with a street name - Rumford Street in Newton - Locke said he drove about 2 miles from the Waltham gas yard to the location, a recycling center.
Locke said he located Mula with the help of workers in the yard and found him alone in a chair in an office trailer.
Mula was conscious but had "stroke-like symptoms," according to National Grid. Locke alerted a city employee in the area to call 911.
Locke found Mula within 10 minutes of the phone conversation, he said. Shortly after Locke discovered him, an emergency medical team whisked Mula off to a nearby hospital.
At the hospital, it was determined that Mula was, "experiencing a major stroke and was in critical condition," National Grid said.
"Patrick noticed some of the key warning signs of stroke, in this case slurred speech and sudden confusion, and acted quickly," said Dr. Lee Schwamm of Massachusetts General Hospital.
Schwamm is director of telestroke and acute stroke services for the hospital.
"With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and fortunately Jim recovered due to Patrick's fast response," he said.
"Anyone would have done the same thing," said Locke of his rescue efforts.
Locke, a gas senior supervisor, was commended by National Grid Executive Officer Steve Holliday for "his heroic actions," said National Grid.
"Recognizing the signs of a stroke and getting attention immediately is critical," said Holliday.
"Pat Locke literally saved this man's life by his quick thinking," he said.
Mula's condition "has improved significantly," said National Grid.
Mula's speech is physically "off," said Locke, but Mula "says he is fine."
Although he is still home recovering, Mula wants to return to work in a couple of months.
He said he is "very good."
Jen Judson can be reached at 781-398-8004 or jjudson@cnc.com.
