“I will never forget you – thank you”: cardiac arrest survivor thanks paramedic Claire for saving his life

An Essex man has been reunited with the paramedic who helped save his life.

It was a normal day for Steve Townsend on 4^th June last year, when he got home from playing football, with a pain in his arm and some chest pain.

After he called 999, Paramedic Claire Ruddy, on a rapid response vehicle, rushed to his aid and found Steve, 57, in cardiac arrest.

Claire said: “I remember the call coming through as chest pain and I expected to find Steve conscious and breathing but instead found him on the sofa with no pulse and not breathing.”

After one shock, Steve began to breathe normally and was taken to Basildon and Thurrock Hospital where he had a stent put in.

Steve, together with his wife Jane, met with Claire at Chelmsford station on Tuesday (13^th December) to thank her for saving his life. He has since made a full recovery, and together with Jane taken up ballroom dancing – but has steered clear of football.

He said: “I don’t remember very much a part from waking up to see Claire and everyone around me. I wanted to say thank you. I feel so well and I will never forget what Claire did for me.”

Jane added: “I’m sure everyone says thank you, but it seems inadequate just to say it. I would have been a widower. Claire saved my husband’s life and mine too.”

This was Claire’s first patient meet up: “It’s so overwhelming but great to see Steve doing so well. I won’t forget this job at all.”

Published 15th December, 2016