Trooper collapses from heat in Knightdale, bystanders use radio to call for help

A motorcycle trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) collapsed on Monday due to a heat-related illness, and witnesses used his radio to call for help.

After 11 a.m., witnesses told WRAL News a trooper collapsed in Knightdale outside the Poor Boy General Store and Grill and Exxon station at Poor Boy Farm Road and S. Smithfield Road.

"He was riding a bike and then fell over," said Marvin Ascencio. "I was trying to make sure someone was calling 911.”

Witnesses told WRAL News that several witnesses unsuccessfully tried to call 911.

David Holden said he walked outside to see the trooper on the ground.

"We had a couple workers inside that tried to call 911 two or three times," Holden said. "Nobody picked up. It’s scary. That terrifies me."

"He had a lot of gear on. Bullet proof vest, a jacket, long-sleeved shirt ... first thing I thought of was heat exhaustion because it is hot.”

A spokesperson from State Highway Patrol confirmed that one of the bystanders used the unresponsive trooper's radio to call for help.

The illness was heat-related, NCSHP confirmed. The trooper was transported to a local medical center and is in good condition.

A heat advisory was in effect Monday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. for triple-digit heat index numbers.

Wake County opened cooling stations on Monday to help people without access to air conditioning escape the dangerous heat.

In response to the 911 calls, a spokesperson from the city of Raleigh said, "We are aware of and looking into this situation. We had two 911 calls from that area just after 11 a.m. One of the callers hung up. The second call was answered and the dispatcher sent help."

According to the city of Raleigh, the 911 Emergency Call Center was fully staffed Monday morning.

Everyone is asked to be aware of heat exhaustion and serious heat illness and know the signs, including headaches, excessive sweating, no sweating, rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, confusion, fever and fatigue. Seek medical help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.