Runner who collapsed praises medics who saved his life

Richard Bowes was nearing the end of a running event on 17 May last year near the Westminster Lodge car park in St Albans, when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.

His wife Sophie witnessed his collapse and immediately called 999. She was given instructions on CPR over the phone while bystanders obtained a nearby public access defibrillator and gave two shocks to Richard's heart. An event medic from Location Medical Services also helped give basic life support.

Paramedic Raphael Saib from the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) arrived on scene within six minutes of the 999 call, to find Richard had regained a pulse but remained critically unwell. He was followed closely by senior Emergency Medical Technician Danielle King and paramedic Jade Newman in an ambulance.

On call and volunteering their time off, critical care paramedic Junaid Mughal and doctor Asher Lewinsohn from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Emergency Critical Care Scheme (BHECCS) also came to Richard's aid. The team were backed up by EEAST leading operations manager Phil Smith, and a second ambulance crew Amy Croft and Chris Beir.

Richard was placed into a medically induced coma by the BHECCS crew and rushed to Harefield Hospital for specialist care. After a long stay in hospital, Richard made a full recovery and was discharged.

Last week at West Herts ambulance station, he reunited with the critical care team who helped save his life, and thanked EEAST crews for their amazing work.

Richard said: "I wanted to thank the people who saved my life in person. I am incredibly fortunate to still be alive today, and I'm so grateful to everyone involved in helping me that day – including my wife who gave me CPR.

"The coordinated response from the running event staff, the ambulance service, the critical care team and Harefield Hospital was amazing. My daughter recently turned two, and I got to share that moment with my wife thanks to their actions. I can't thank them enough."

BHECCS chair and critical care paramedic Junaid Mughal said: "It was a real pleasure to meet Richard and his family again, and to see how well he is doing. Situations like this remind us that anyone can have a cardiac arrest, and immediate CPR and early defibrillation is crucial for someone's chances of survival."

Tim Richards, critical care operations manager at EEAST, said: "We are delighted to hear Richard's story and would like to pass on our best wishes to Richard and his family. This is another example of the exceptional teamwork involving our staff and BHECCS to deliver the highest levels of care. BHECCS is a valued partner who continues to make a significant contribution within our region, improving patient survival and achieving positive long-term outcomes."

Free CPR and defibrillator awareness training is available through EEAST Heart, delivered by EEAST volunteers and funded by charitable donations. You can find out more on the EEAST Heart page on our website.

Photo caption (from L-R): BHECCS critical care doctor Asher Lewinsohn, Sophie and Richard Bowes, EEAST Local Area Manager Jason Robertson, BHECCS chair and critical care paramedic Junaid Mughal, and EEAST crews at West Herts ambulance station.