Man who suffered cardiac arrest is reunited with the medical staff who saved his life

Those are the words of a former policeman after an old colleague was the first responder who came to his aid after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Shelley, Peter, Tony, Mark, Damian and Janet

Tony Foster, 76, from Crank was suffering from breathlessness on June 26, 2019, and was due to go to a chest pain clinic.

But before he got the chance he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home.

His wife Janet, who had just returned from a walk, immediately called 999, prompting NHS staff to do all they could to save his life.

Tony said: "Janet called 999 and at that point I understand that the information is sent to ambulance personnel and a first responder, because in rural areas an ambulance can be 20 minutes away.

"In this case, Peter is only five minutes away as he lives in Rainford.

Peter, Tony, Mark and Damian

"Peter is my friend going back to when we were in traffic police together, so it was a shock when he was was at the front door by the time my wife was off the call.

"I remember him arriving and my saying 'I'm sorry to drag you out' and then I remember nothing."

Peter used a defibrillator to restart Tony's heart, after he suffered a heart attack.

His quick actions, on his long-term friend, saved his life.

Tony added: "When I came around I was no longer on the edge of the bed and was instead on the ground gazing upwards at these two paramedics who then constructed a stretcher around me and carried me downstairs."

Peter and Tony

Tony was taken to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital where he underwent a double bypass.

He added: "I'm very, very grateful to all concerned. It starts with Janet my wife, who made the call and then obviously Peter the first responder as I've been told his intervention is possibly the only reason I'm here now.

"So you can only imagine the debt of gratitude I feel.

"You don't expect your life to need saving, and you don't expect your friend from years back being the one knocking at your door."

The North West Ambulance Service organised for Tony and Peter to be reunited with the paramedics and a second 999 call handler, whose actions also saved Tony's life as well.

Peter Gregory, 68, a volunteer community first responder, Rainford said: "Tony and I have known each other for about 40 years and worked close together in previous occupations and then privately we've remained friends, as have the families throughout that time.

"So dealing with an incident where you know the person quite closely it adds an extra dimension to the incident you're dealing with.

"I always think it's a great privilege to go into someone's house when they are suffering some kind of trauma and offer assistance and help to them and their family.

"The successful resuscitation' we've had is down to one of three reasons; it has happened in front of us, or been there very quickly or there's been good bystander CPR team.

Damian, Peter, Tony, Janet, Mark, Shelley

Senior Paramedic Damian Walsh, added: "It's nice to see Tony doing so well, it's a privilege for us as well.

"It's the community response, the defibrillation and CPR that's vitally important before we get there.

"If that first thing does not take place the following care can't take place.

"One thing I'd like everyone to take from this is the importance of that first intervention in the community."

Dad-of-two Tony, responded: "I remember you saying how well Peter had done, and that I was in a strong state which is unusual.

Paramedic Mark Jackson, added: "He's the best looking arrest I've seen in a long time.

"It's rare to have people survive cardiac arrests never mind meet them it's nice that we can see we've done what we are trained to do."

Emergency Medical Dispatcher Shelley Buckley, who took the 999 call, added: "It's quite a privilege today, after we've taken the call and the drew arrive we don't get to hear anything about how the patient went on

"So it's lovely to see Tony today and see the other side."

Tony and Janet

Tony added: "It's a privilege to be reunited, I didn't expect to be reunited with the people who helped me at a time of crisis, to see them again is incredible.

"I'm of no doubt at all that had it not been for the initial intervention and then the continued care from ambulance personnel, never mind the hospital personnel, if it hadn't been for that continued care then I wouldn't be here."

Tony and Janet have made it a focus now to raise awareness of the needs for first responders in the community as there is only two currently operating in the area of Rainford.

Peter will be holding training sessions for people in the community to learn life saving skills.

The next event will take place on October 2 at Rainford's United Reformed Church.

To book contact the clerk at Rainford Parish Council.

More events will be organised in the future.