Tow truck cardiac arrest survivor thanks heroes who saved his life

An airport worker who collapsed when his heart stopped beating has met the teams who saved his life at an emotional reunion.

United Airlines Ramp Agent, John Walton, 59, arrived to push back a plane for departure at Heathrow Airport when he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed.

John’s United Airlines colleagues, including Sharon Brayford-Bryce, Dan Brooks, Chris Bull, Amanda Hogg and Edsel Hussey, rushed to his aid and used their first aid training and a device called a defibrillator to restart his heart.

London Ambulance Service crews arrived shortly afterwards, including cycle paramedics Rob Weldon and Mick Hinde, ambulance crews Caroline Appleby and Maisie Cryer and solo responder Rob Henson.

John said: “I am deeply grateful for the quick thinking and life-saving actions of my colleagues at United Airlines, as well as the speedy response from both Heathrow’s Airport Fire Service and London Ambulance Service.

“It’s clear that early intervention, knowledge and training on CPR, and the use of a defibrillator were instrumental in saving my life on that day.

“I applaud London Ambulance Service’s new Heart Starters campaign to fundraise for more defibrillators across the capital in areas where they are needed most.”

The paramedics helped stabilise John and took him to the nearest Heart Attack Centre at Harefield Hospital in Hillingdon.

Paramedic Rob Henson added: “John was very lucky to have the help of his colleagues when his heart suddenly stopped beating on the apron of the taxiway. Everyone worked together to keep him alive.

“I visited him in hospital a week later and to my delight realised that he had made a full recovery. He told me that he had a stepson in his twenties and he rode a motorcycle. We are similar ages, with similar family dynamics and I had just done my compulsory motorcycle bike test. So I thought that could have been me!”

Consultant Paramedic Mark Faulkner said: “Each minute that passes before chest compressions begin and the use of a defibrillator dramatically reduces the chances of survival. It’s really simple to learn life-saving skills and I’d encourage all Londoners to know how to save someone’s life like John.

“At Heathrow we see cardiac arrest survival rates which are dramatically better than other areas of the capital. The reason for this is simple – many of the staff are trained in basic resuscitation skills and there are numerous readily accessible public defibrillators.

“Earlier this year we launched our London Heart Starters campaign to get defibrillators into the neighbourhoods that need them most. We are working to raise money to place defibrillators in these communities and looking for people to take care of defibrillators in their local neighbourhoods.”

John, who lives in West Sussex, has been profoundly affected by the events of that day and is making the most of life.

He added: “This cardiac arrest changed me and I have a renewed love for life. My wife and I love taking the dog for a walk around the forests near us and I’m looking to buy a boat on the River Thames.”

Analysis from LAS has found there are 150 neighbourhoods in London where there is no or limited public access to defibrillators affecting chances of survival.

Help us place defibrillators in the heart of every community by donating at the London Ambulance Charity website.