VAN NUYS : Foes on Abortion Issue Join in Saving Man’s Life

Foes briefly put aside their hostilities when abortion protesters and workers in a Van Nuys clinic that performs abortions teamed up to save the life of a clinic guard who collapsed after a heart attack.

One protester performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the guard, with whom protesters had had “terse words” in the past. Another protester raced into Clinica Medica Para la Mujer at 6900 Van Nuys Blvd. in search of a doctor, apparently violating a court order against trespassing on clinic property.

The guard survived and the episode left both sides feeling closer to each other.

The 62-year-old security guard, identified only as Ralph, escorted clients from the sidewalk past the protesters’ shouts and offers of anti-abortion literature.

Last Tuesday, he collapsed of a heart attack in front of the clinic.

Joe Evans, an abortion protester who resuscitated Ralph, said he “was worried about catching a disease or something. But I decided it was either that or possibly (not) saving his life. . . . I just put it aside.”

Paramedics took the victim to Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition for four days. During the weekend, his condition reportedly was upgraded to serious.