Great Western Ambulance Service paramedics have praised passersby for saving the life of a man who collapsed and went into cardiac arrest in the centre of Bath yesterday morning.
A firefighter, doctor and nurse – all off-duty – were on hand within seconds of the patient’s collapse to administer vital first-aid while ambulance crews were en route.
Their rapid action meant the patient – a man believed to be in his 40s – was awake and talking by the time he reached hospital and has a good chance of making a full and rapid recovery.
Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) received 999 calls at 9.03am reporting the had collapsed and was suffering a fit near a pedestrian crossing by the Charlotte Street approach to Queen Square.
While crews were responding, the call-handler confirmed that the patient had gone into cardiac arrest and that there were people on scene providing CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).
Andy Richardson, a GWAS paramedic and clinical team leader, was on scene at 9.07am in a rapid-response vehicle, followed just minutes later by an ambulance crew.
“Even though we were with the patient very quickly, the fact that people were providing essential first-aid in those first couple of crucial minutes has almost certainly saved his life.
“Their swift action meant he had regained a pulse at the scene – in turn allowing us to convey him quickly to hospital. En route, he not only regained consciousness, but was awake and talking by the time we reached RUH.
“He was at hospital less than half-an-hour after collapsing and went straight into theatre. All the indications are that he will make a full recovery – which is testament to the superb work of those passersby, along with our call-handler, crew and hospital staff all committed to providing the best care for the patient.”
While Andy has contact details for the off-duty Melksham firefighter and doctor (from Cardiff), the identity of the nurse is unknown.
“Clearly we would like to be able to thank all three individuals and let them know how the patient is doing, so would welcome the nurse getting back to us with her contact details,” said Andy.
She is asked to contact the GWAS press office on 07824 626312.
