Colts Neck Couple Thank First Responders For Saving A Life

COLTS NECK, NJ - For Thomas Karl Kober, Nov. 1 was a terrible day, a day that could have been his last. That is the kind of day that can equally terrify loved ones, such as his wife,Abbey Feiler-Kober, and the beloved family pet, Dozer.

That is the day, in the dark hours before dawn that Kober's heart stopped beating and his breathing stopped. Mrs. Feiler-Kober, of the Abbey Farm estate in town, called 911 and within moments, she was being talked through how to do CPR to keep her husband's heart pumping, she explained in a letter read to the Colts Neck Committee about that terrible day.

The family wanted officials to know that what may have seemed like a typical call for rescuers was anything but for the attorney and her husband, a master plumber and head of Surf Mechanical.

"Thank you," said the letter read out loud to the committee and posted in a video clip on Tap Into Holmdel & Colts Neck. "You run toward things that most other people run away from. You accessed my husband and took over CPR for me, continuing life-saving work and preparing for the (emergency medical technicians) to arrive to give my husband the best odds of survival. Every word, every gesture and every way that you kept control of the situation enabled me to to be stronger for our family. Thank you."

They said without those responders, "Tommy might not be alive today," the letter continued. "Thank you for not leaving me in tears as my husband's heart stopped over again...You are the calm voice in any chaos (who) told me everything would be OK."

Mrs. Abbey Feiler-Kober, long dedicated to worthy causes and formerly of Holmdel, noted that in addition to giving life-saving care to her husband, rescuers that day also provided comfort and support to her and Dozer.

In other words, they looked at the situation completely. All household members needed looking after during that early morning 911 call.

"Thank you doesn't envelope the enormous amount of people that you touch," Kober said. "I am forever grateful for your heroism and bravery."

The couple particularly singled out Patrolman Brian Matthews, Patrolman Anthony Kapp, Patrolman Gabriel Campan and Sgt David Reed. MONOC Paramedics Rachael Hearon and Matthew McClennan also responded while Colts Neck First Aiders on scene were Greg Williams, Ruth Bender, TJ Hanlon, Vickie Sherman, Elaine Hempstead, Chuck Fredda and Alex Pridmore.

An emergency Nov. 1 resulted in a life saved. Image via Shutterstock.