A Bismarck man died last week after collapsing in a grocery store.

Gerald Bellon, 70, died April 24.

Bismarck Police Sgt. Dwight Offerman said someone called 911 at 12:36 p.m. to report the medical emergency at Dan's Supermarket, 835 S. Washington St.

Jon Adams of Bismarck saw Bellon fall and get up shortly after walking into the store, then saw him collapse near the deli. The second time Bellon fell, Adams began doing chest compressions after failing to find the man's pulse. A Dan's employee helped keep Bellon's airway open.

By the time paramedics arrived, Bellon had a faint heart beat, Adams said. Bellon was pronounced dead at the hospital, Offerman said.

Adams said he urges people in similar situations "to not be afraid to help." Ask what you can do to help, whether it be to contact a victim's family or get involved in rescue efforts, he said.

"If I can get down and provide CPR to someone, 95 percent of other people can,"said Adams, who is disabled because of back problems.

- Jenny Michael