Suffolk man thanks his ‘guardian angels’

A Suffolk man has been reunited with his EEAST “guardian angels” after his heart stopped just weeks ago.

Paul Thornton collapsed at his Bury St Edmunds home on 12th June after walking his dog, and went into cardiac arrest.

However, thanks to the swift actions of partner Roz, who immediately started CPR, and the quick arrival of Luke Chamberlain, Page Wilson, Alan Robertson, Benjamin Southam, and the Essex Air Ambulance – the team were able to restart his heart.

And last week, the 49-year-old crane operator said thank you to the team in green who helped save his life, saying: “Words cannot express what they mean to me – they are my guardian angels. If it was not for them and Roz, I would not be here today.”

Following CPR and four defibrillator shocks, they resuscitated Paul - who was sitting up in the ambulance by the time they left for Papworth Hospital to repair a blocked artery with a stent.

Luke said: “It was the perfect chain of survival. Paul’s heart was not working, but Roz was doing such effective CPR and getting oxygen to his brain that he was fighting us off whilst we were treating him. I have never seen that before.”

Paul was discharged from hospital three days later with a couple of broken ribs.

He said: “It is the best pain I have ever had. The fact I’m here to feel pain is an absolute blessing. All I can remember is the ambulance doors closing and then being in the hospital.

“The consultants and the nurses were brilliant, but it is your staff who deserve all the thanks because the hospital staff would not have a job if it wasn’t for them.”

Published 12th August, 2016

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