Iowa State Trooper Uses Defibrillator to Revive Bicyclist

GRANVILLE, Iowa — An Iowa State Patrol trooper likely saved the life of a rider during the first day of RAGBRAI Sunday, a spokesperson for the state agency said.

A 62-year-old man from California experienced a cardiac event just east of Granville. Trooper Darren Flaherty arrived at the intersection to find bystanders administering CPR, said Sgt. Alex Dinkla, who is managing the team of 13 troopers who are directing traffic for the ride.

Like the other troopers. Flaherty carries an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in his squad car. Flaherty placed the AED on the patient, shocked him one time, and "shortly thereafter a pulse was detected," Dinkla said.

The patient was transported by ambulance to Orange City, where this week's cross-state ride started Sunday. The man was later taken by air ambulance to a hospital in Sioux City. At last report, the patient was "alert, conscious and awaiting the next phases of his treatment," Dinkla said.

This is the third RAGBRAI that troopers have had AEDs in their cruisers, and the second time that Flaherty has used the device to save a rider's life, Dinkla said. The first time came during the 2022 ride near Charles City.

“We are very thankful that all of our squad cars are equipped with these AEDs," he said. "We know it's something that can easily happen on RAGBRAI."