A grateful dad from Houghton reunites with the ambulance crew that saved his life after a cardiac arrest, sharing his heartfelt thanks and story.
Houghton: A dad named Graham Avery had a close call last November. He was feeling off, breathless, and had pain in his arm. His partner, Marie, got worried and called for an ambulance.
When the crew arrived, things took a turn for the worse. Graham, 60, went into cardiac arrest right in front of them. Paramedic Hayley Francis and her partner, Graham Stones, jumped into action.
Hayley recalled how she quickly realized Graham needed immediate help. She started CPR while her crewmate used a defibrillator. Thankfully, the shock worked, and Graham came around.
After more help arrived, they rushed him to Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where he got a stent. Graham reflected on the experience, saying it felt like a second chance at life.
He always thought he was invincible, but this changed his perspective. Meeting the crew was important to him, and he wanted to express his gratitude.
Hayley shared how special reunions like this are for them. They often don’t know what happens to patients after they leave. The North East Ambulance Service reminded everyone that cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, anytime.
For every minute without CPR or a defibrillator, survival chances drop by 10%. Statistics show that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates are low, only about one in ten.
Learning CPR takes just a few minutes, and it can save lives. If you want to know more, check out the ambulance service’s website.
