Grandad thanks ambulance team who saved his life

John Moore was preparing to got out when he collapsed. Wife Kathleen and friend David Trotter immediately performed CPR while David’s wife Lesley spoke to the 999 call handler

Former nurse Kathleen said: “John was sitting laughing and joking one minute and the next he was slumped in the chair. Lesley and I got John on the floor while David rang 999.

“The call handler counted with us so David could get the rhythm right. The call handler was brilliant the whole time.”

North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) Emergency Care Clinical Manager Iain Hendy was first on scene at John’s Billingham home quickly followed by Emergency Care Technicians Jamie Pattison and Steven Laird.

John was shocked three times with a defibrillator before being taken to James Cook Hospital.

“It’s been great to see John looking so well,” said Iain. “It really gives you a rewarding feeling to know you have been able to make a difference to someone’s life.”

Now John, 69, is recovering well and looking forward to spending more time with his two children and four grandchildren.

“I wasn’t in a position to thank them and so wanted to meet them to say thank you for what they did to keep me alive,” he said.

“Kathleen and David kept me going, but these guys saved my life.

“The NHS gets so much flack these days; I think it’s important to thank NEAS and the hospital staff. I might not be here if it wasn’t for them.”