Lorain Council recognizes teenager who saved man who collapsed in AutoZone

LORAIN — A 17-year-old received a commendation from the city for her lifesaving actions after a man had a heart attack at the Broadway AutoZone late last month. Livia Goforth, of Lorain, received a resolution honoring her for her lifesaving efforts to help a customer who had a heart attack during her shift on Feb. 27. Goforth called 911 and gave the man CPR until paramedics arrived. She previously estimated she continued chest compressions for about 10 minutes and got the man breathing again twice until first responders took the man to Mercy Health - Lorain for further treatment. She received a standing ovation from Council members and those in the audience on Tuesday, as well as a gift certificate from Mild 2 Wild nail salon presented by Councilwoman Victoria Kempton, D-2nd Ward. "Knowing her father for the last couple of years, she is of service because her family is of service to our community," Kempton said. Livia's father, Jim Goforth, started Gateway Pharms, which became Solidarity Urban Farms, an urban farming program in the city. Livia Goforth is a junior at Clearview High School and plans to attend Lorain County Community College to become a registered nurse. "I hope she's around if I need somebody in an emergency," Mayor Jack Bradley said. The man Goforth saved has yet to be found by The Chronicle-Telegram. Per previous reporting, Goforth and others at the AutoZone received a call from the man's daughter about two days after the incident letting them know he was going to be OK. Council members also named March Irish Heritage and Nationality Month in the city, and recognized March 25 as Greek Independence Day in the city. The Greek flag will be flown outside City Hall that day, Bradley said. Councilwoman Sylvia DuVall, D-at Large, said many in the United States do not realize all they owe to the Greek civilization, and noted Greece gaining independence in 1821 encouraged neighboring countries to follow suit, including Serbia and Croatia. George Kamoutsis accepted Council's resolution on Greek Independence Day. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 3239-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.