Man whose heart stopped thanks bystanders and endorses life-saving campaign

A retired man has thanked the bystanders and medics for saving his life using a defibrillator when he went into cardiac arrest in Battersea Park.

David Walker, 69, had just completed the 5km parkrun in an impressive 21 minutes and was collecting his finish token when he collapsed.

The Battersea parkrun volunteer team quickly ran to help with someone taking the parkrun’s defibrillator.

Luckily Dr Stephen Murphy, an off-duty doctor who had also done the run, was nearby and also offered assistance.

David, a former computer scientist at Cardiff University, came to London from Cardiff earlier that day to meet his daughter Katherine and take part in the parkrun. And David is now backing The London Ambulance Charity’s Heart Starters campaign to put 200 defibrillators into areas of the capital that need them most.

He said: “I was waiting to collect my token and I felt dizzy. The next thing I remember I was on the floor waking up with lots of people standing around me. I had been revived following a shock from the defibrillator.”

London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived within four minutes and took David to St Thomas’ Hospital where he had surgery for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator – a small device that corrects irregular heartbeats.

Katherine said: “I was alarmed when I picked up a call from my dad and it was the police telling me he had a cardiac arrest. I was expecting the worst when I arrived at A&E, but I was relieved to find he was awake and oriented.”

Londoners can help fundraise for the Heart Starters campaign by taking part in the next London Life Hike on Saturday 27th September. Last year, ‘Life Hikers’ at Battersea Park raised almost £25,000 – enough to pay for 15 defibrillators.

Mark Faulkner, Consultant Paramedic and Associate Clinical Director at London Ambulance Service, said: “It’s incredibly important that bystanders start CPR and use a defibrillator as quickly as possible.

“These two things are really easy to do and more than double a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.”

“We want to ensure that everyone has easy access to one of these devices across the capital. That’s why I’m calling on Londoners to fund and host defibrillators in their local communities for our Heart Starters campaign. You never know when a family member, friend or colleague might need your help.”

David added: “I’m very grateful to everyone who was involved in saving my life. I don’t think I’d be here without them.”

Dr Stephen Murphy, a critical care doctor at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I had just finished the parkrun when I noticed a man who had fallen to the ground near the finish line. I went over to join a small team of off-duty medical workers and police that had already formed, to see how I could help.

“We quickly realised he was in cardiac arrest and immediately started CPR. Thankfully we were able to restart David’s heart within minutes.

“I was thrilled to hear that David has made a full recovery. This type of event shows the life-saving impact of early CPR and how it can provide the best chance of survival for anyone having a cardiac arrest.”

Will Marks, Event Director of Battersea parkrun, said: “Thanks to the quick actions of our own volunteer team and those medical professionals, we were able to immediately assist and ultimately save David’s life.

“Whilst their use is rare, every parkrun across the country has to have a working defibrillator in order to go ahead. This was the first time we’ve had to use ours and we’re delighted there’s been such a positive outcome.”

Help us raise money for our life-saving Heart Starters campaign on our dedicated London Ambulance Charity website here or join us for the next London Life Hike in September to raise money for this vital cause.