PEMBROKE, N.C., Oct. 2 -- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke issued the following news release:

For Mario Scott and Kevin Cousineau, morning break is usually a time to laugh, share a snack and catch up with co-workers.

But one recent morning, Cousineau was sitting at the table in UNC Pembroke's Facilities shop, eating watermelon, when he suddenly began choking. Within seconds, he was unconscious - and Scott was fighting to save the life of a man he considers a brother.

"I thought he was playing at first," Scott said. "But then he turned red. Then he began falling forward. He wasn't responsive."

Cousineau remembers laughing with Scott. Then everything went black. Scott tried to catch him as he fell, but Cousineau struck the leg...