‘Fortunate we crossed paths’: Myrtle Beach area veteran reunites with man he saved

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WMBF) - Doctors said Matt Welch recently had a massive heart attack along Highway 17. Welch was visiting the south strand from Massachusetts and was out on a 50-mile bike ride to celebrate his 40th birthday.

Those same doctors believe if it wasn’t for a good Samaritan, Welch wouldn’t be alive.

Welch was reunited with the man who saved his life from his hospital bed at Grand Strand Medical Center.

“It’s my duty. If somebody needs help, I’ll stop and help you,” said Jimmy Farr, the man who helped save Welch.

Farr, a Marine veteran, said he was driving by on his way to a job site when he saw Welch on the ground. Two people were standing over him so Farr said he stopped to see if he could help.

He explained that he tried to find Welch’s pulse, but couldn’t, so he started CPR.

While someone called 911, Farr said he told one of the other helpers to go to the fire station, just a few feet away. Farr claims he was able to keep calm under pressure due to his prior experience.

“Being a military veteran, I did three tours in Iraq. It just brought me back to a place I honestly didn’t want to be, but I knew he was a fellow man, so he needed help,” said Farr.

Welch said doctors told him he died three times before he could be revived. Regardless, the family said Farr is just as responsible for saving his life.

“If it weren’t for them, my kids wouldn’t have their dad, I wouldn’t have my husband,” said his wife Stephanie Welch.

Doctors at Grand Strand Medical Center said the husband and father of seven would have died completely without Farr’s help.

While many call Farr a hero, the veteran said he was just trying to do the right thing.

“If somebody needs help, I’ll stop and help you. I don’t think it’s out of the ordinary. A lot of people did drive by and it’s unfortunate, but what is fortunate is we crossed paths that day,” said Farr.

Welch’s family said they’re forever grateful for everyone who helped save his life.

GSMC medical staff said Welch is set to be released from the hospital this weekend and expected to fully recover.

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