Month: October 2017

Tuesday 31^st October 2017 – 2.50pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A van driver who was trapped for approximately 45 minutes following a collision with a car this morning has been treated for multiple serious injuries by ambulance staff before being taken to hospital.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Arrow Road North, Lakeside, Redditch at 9.05am this morning and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find the driver of the van, a man believed to be in his 50s, still trapped inside his vehicle.

“Ambulance staff carefully treated the man whilst the fire service cut him free from the vehicle.

“He was treated for chest, leg, wrist and pelvic injuries, immobilised and given pain relief before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance. The air ambulance crew travelled with the patient to help continue treatment whilst travelling to hospital.

“The driver of the car, a man believed to be in his 40s, and the passenger, a man believed to be in his 20s, both managed to get themselves out. They were assessed and treated for minor injuries and discharged at the scene.”

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Tuesday 31^st October 2017 – 9.50am – Claire Brown.

A two-car collision during rush hour this morning has left one woman with potentially life-threatening injuries in Warwickshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A4189 Henley Road near to the junction of Kington Lane in Claverdon shortly after 7.30am (Tuesday). Three ambulances, a paramedic, a senior paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance with a doctor on board attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived to find two cars which had been involved in a serious collision. The driver, a woman, and passenger, a teenage girl, of one car were trapped in the wreckage.

“Whilst ambulance staff worked to assess and administer treatment to the two occupants, the fire service worked carefully to release them from the car. The woman sustained suspected internal injuries which required advanced trauma care on scene before she was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire. Her condition was said to be critical.

“The teenage girl was given treatment on scene before being taken to the same hospital by land ambulance for further checks.

“The driver of the second car, a man, managed to self-extricate from his vehicle and was found to have suffered minor injuries. He was taken to Warwick Hospital as a precaution.

“The road remains closed.”

 

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Thursday 26^th October 2017 – 5.45pm – Murray MacGregor.

Two people have been airlifted, one in a critical condition after a crash between a car and a 4×4.

It happened at about 3.10pm on the A458 near to The Plume Of Feathers Pub at Harley, between Much Wenlock and Cressage.

Three ambulances, three paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulances from Cosford and Strensham, both with doctors on board, attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a car and 4×4 with significant front end damage.  There were two people in each vehicle.

“In the car there were an elderly couple.  The woman suffered multiple serious injuries.  She was anaesthetised at the scene before being airlifted to the major trauma centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital in a critical condition.

“The man had no obvious injuries but due to the nature of the crash was taken by land ambulance to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital as a precaution.

“There was a father and daughter in the 4×4.  The young child had suffered head and chest injuries.  She was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“Her father had suffered only minor cuts and bruises and travelled with his daughter in the air ambulance to the paediatric major trauma centre.”

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Thursday 26^th October 2017 – 11.10am – Murray MacGregor.

Three people have been injured after a three vehicle crash early this morning.

The crash happened on the A5 at the Cathorpe turn at 6.00am.

Three ambulances, a paramedic officer and a rapid response vehicle were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a car, a small van and a lorry had been involved in the collision. There were three patients:

“A 63-year-old man from the van was complaining of abdominal and hand pain.  Firefighters worked with ambulance staff to extricate the man safely after the roof had been removed.  After further assessment, he was taken to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.

“A 45-year-old man in the same vehicle had right arm and leg pain.  He was immobilised before being taken to the same hospital.

“The third patient was a 41 year old woman from the car.  She had managed to get out of the vehicle but was complaining of back, left arm and shoulder pain.  She was immobilised and taken to hospital in Coventry.

“There were no other patients.”

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Thursday 26^th October 2017 – 11.20am – Murray MacGregor.

A patient has been anesthetised and taken to a major trauma centre after a collision with a car early this morning.

The incident happened in Wellington Road in Branston, Burton, near to the Morrisons supermarket at just before 6.00am this morning.

Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were initially sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a 24-year-old man who had a serious head injury and a badly broken right leg.

“Due to his condition, the crews requested a medic and the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were immediately dispatched.

“With the patient needing to go to a major trauma centre, the crew left the scene on blue lights down the A38 where they rendezvoused with the MERIT team in Alrewas.

“On assessment, the doctor anaesthetised the patient before they continued the journey to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.  The doctor travelled with the ambulance crew.”

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Wednesday 25^th October 2017 – 11am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Three teenagers have been treated by ambulance staff and taken to hospital after a two-car collision last night which caused one of the vehicles to overturn.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Saltwells Road in Dudley just after 11.45pm and sent three ambulances, a rapid response paramedic, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews were told that a teenage girl, who was out of the car on their arrival, had initially suffered a reduced level of consciousness.

“She was treated for serious chest, pelvic, arm and abdominal injuries, immobilised and taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

“A second teenage girl had suffered a suspected wrist fracture and a shoulder injury and was taken to the same hospital.

“A teenage boy, who was walking around on arrival of ambulance staff, was treated for shoulder and knee injuries and taken to Russells Hall Hospital.”

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Tuesday 24^th October 2017 – 4.45pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A woman was trapped in her car for about an hour following a collision with a van this morning that saw both vehicles overturn.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called at 9.04am to the A5 near Lichfield, between Muckley Corner and Wall Island on the eastbound carriageway, and sent one ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire with two critical care paramedics on board, to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found both of the vehicles involved in the collision on their side.

“The driver of the car, a woman believed to be in her 30s, was trapped inside. Ambulance crews worked closely with the fire service to free her through the boot of the vehicle, immobilising her with the use of a scoop stretcher.

“She was assessed and treated for neck, arm and leg injuries before being transported to Good Hope Hospital by land ambulance.

“The driver of the van, a man thought to be in his 40s, had managed to free himself and was out of his vehicle when crews arrived. He was assessed for a minor wrist injury and discharged on scene.

“Given the final position of the vehicles involved and the damage caused, both patients are fortunate to have not suffered more serious injuries in the incident.”

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Notes to Editors:

If used, please credit the images to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Three men have been assessed by ambulance staff after an incident.  

West Midlands Ambulance was called to Bermuda Park in Nuneaton at 3:40pm on Sunday afternoon.

An ambulance, paramedic officers and the Hazardous Area Response Team were sent along with the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.  

The situation was brought to a conclusion by police. 

One suspect was treated at the scene by ambulance staff before being taken to hospital by ambulance. 

Two other men have been assessed but were uninjured and have been discharged on scene. 

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Friday 20^th October 2017 – 9.30am – Claire Brown.

A collision on the M42 in the early hours of this morning has left one man with serious leg injuries.

The incident happened on the M42 between junctions 3a and 4, Hockley Heath, Solihull shortly before 2.30am (Friday). An ambulance, a paramedic officer and the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic team (CCP) attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a van and lorry which had been involved in a collision. The driver of the van, a man in his 30s. was trapped in the wreckage. Upon assessment, ambulance staff and the doctor found he had sustained multiple serious injuries to his legs and whilst the team administered trauma care to make him more comfortable, the fire service worked around them to carefully extricate him from the wreckage.

“After around an hour, the man was cut free from the van and fully immobilised with a neck collar, spinal board and leg splints before being taken on blue lights to specialist trauma centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The doctor and CCP travelled in the ambulance to help administer further treatment en route.”

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Thursday 19^th October 2017 – 11am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A car driver received specialist trauma care before being taken to one of the region’s major trauma centres following a two-car collision last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the A429 Essington Road in Wellesbourne at 11.15pm and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a rapid response paramedic and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find two cars with front end damage, one of which still had the driver, a man, trapped inside.

“Ambulance staff, who were told the man had lost consciousness prior to their arrival, worked closely with the fire service to safely free him from the car.

“Once free, he was treated for leg and elbow fractures and sedated by the air ambulance doctor in order to stabilise his condition. He was then transported to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

“There were two patients from the second car, both who had suffered minor injuries and did not require further treatment at hospital.”

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Thursday 19^th October 2017 – 8.50am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A bus driver has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after suffering a medical episode at the wheel this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Darlaston Road in Wednesbury at 7.48am and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance Crew from Cosford in a rapid response car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews were told that having spotted the man suffering a medical episode at the wheel of the bus, a van driver managed to position his vehicle and successfully bring the bus to a stop.

“The bus driver, a man, was found to be in cardiac arrest and on arrival of ambulance staff, police were already administering excellent CPR.

“Ambulance staff took over treatment and the man’s heart was successfully restarted prior to departure for Walsall Manor Hospital but he remains in a critical condition.

“West Midlands Ambulance Service would like to praise the van driver for ensuring the bus did not collide with any other vehicles and cause further injury, and the police for carrying out early CPR, essential to give the patient the best chance of survival.”

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Notes to Editors:

There were no passengers on the bus at the time of the incident.

 

Wednesday 18^th October 2017 – 9.40am – Murray MacGregor.

A man has died after a car collided with a tree just after a hump back bridge.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident on a minor road between Hay-on-Wye and Dorstone at 9.10pm last night (Tuesday).

Two ambulances and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived they found a man who had suffered multiple injuries and was not breathing.

“They immediately started resuscitation attempts and transferred him on blue lights to Hereford County Hospital where attempts were made to stabilise his condition.

“Although the MERIT trauma doctor was en-route to Hereford so that the man could be transferred to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, sadly, he did not survive and he was confirmed dead at hospital in Hereford.”

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Wednesday 18^th October 2017 – 9.15am – Murray MacGregor.

A scooter rider has suffered critical injuries after a collision with a car.

It happened outside the Castle Casino on Castle Hill in Dudley at about 5.50pm last night (Tuesday).

An ambulance a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a trauma doctor and critical care paramedic on board were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance crews found a man who had suffered multiple serious injuries.

“Due to the serious nature of the injuries, the doctor anaesthetised the man at the scene.  He had a pelvic binder put in place before being taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; the doctor and critical care paramedics travelled with the ambulance.”

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Tuesday 17^th October 2017 – 9.30am – Claire Brown.

A two-car collision on a stretch of road in Wombourne late last night left a man needing advanced trauma care.

The incident happened on the A449 Stourbridge Road, in Wombourne, Wolverhampton at around 11.20pm last night (Monday).  Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and a MERIT trauma doctor attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “One car was upside down when crews arrived. The second car had significant damage and the driver, a man in his 50s, had sustained a nasty arm injury and neck injury in the collision. Whilst ambulance staff administered trauma care to the man, the fire service worked around the team to carefully extricate him from the car.

“The man was given pain relief, his arm was dressed and immobilised with a vacuum splint before he was fully immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board and alerted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for further trauma care.

“The two occupants from the overturned car escaped with minor injuries. Both were taken to New Cross Hospital as a precaution.”

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Tuesday 17^th October 2017 – 8.30am – Claire Brown.

One person has died and two others have been injured following a road traffic collision in Birmingham last night.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received several 999 calls reporting a three car collision on Heybarnes Road in Small Heath shortly before 8.00pm yesterday (Monday). Three ambulances, a paramedic officer, a BASICs doctor and the critical care car with a second medic on board from The Air Ambulance Service attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When the emergency services arrived they found one car which had sustained significant damage in the collision. Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the driver and medics confirmed the patient deceased on scene. A passenger in the car, a man in his 20s, was trapped in the wreckage and had sustained serious injuries to his head and pelvis. Ambulance staff and medics worked closely with the fire service at the scene to carefully extricate him from the car and after around 40 minutes he was cut free. The man was given pain relief and fully immobilised with a neck collar, spinal board and pelvic binder before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“The driver from a second car involved, a woman in her 40s, sustained minor facial injuries. Due to the mechanism of the collision, the woman was immobilised with a neck collar and spinal board as a precaution before being taken to Heartlands Hospital.

“No one else was injured in the collision.”

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Thursday 16^th October 2017 – 12.40pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A teenage cyclist has died following a collision with a bus this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Haybridge Road in Hadley, Telford, shortly before 8.05am and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find a teenage male with serious injuries following the collision with the bus.

“Following emergency treatment at the scene, the boy was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital with crews continuing to provide advanced trauma care en-route.

“Sadly, shortly after arrival at hospital it became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed deceased.

“The driver of the bus, a woman, was treated for the effects of shock and discharged at the scene.”

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Thursday 12^th October 2017 – 4.55pm – Murray MacGregor.

A motorcyclist has died after a crash with a small van this lunchtime.

It happened on the B4176 outside TFM Farm and Country Superstore, near Bridgnorth at just before 12.15pm today.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford and the West Midlands Care Team car were all sent to the scene.  The crew of a third ambulance that came across the incident also stopped to assist.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When crews arrived, they found a non-emergency private ambulance crew carrying out CPR on a man who had been riding a motorcycle.

“Ambulance staff immediately took over and provided advanced life support. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, it wasn’t possible to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“A 60-year-old woman who had been the pillion passenger on the motorbike had suffered a broken wrist and abdominal pain.  She was immobilised and taken by ambulance to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

The man driving the van was shaken but otherwise unhurt and did not want any treatment.”

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Thursday 12^th October 2017 – 10.00am – Claire Brown.

A lorry driver, who ended up trapped in the wreckage of his cab following a collision with another lorry on the M5 motorway, received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff earlier this morning.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a 999 call reporting a collision involving two lorries on the northbound carriageway of the M5 at junction 5, Wychbold, Droitwich at 5.00am today (Thursday). Two ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team and a MERIT trauma doctor were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When the emergency services arrived they found one lorry which had partially left the carriageway, the cab of the lorry had ended up down an embankment and had overturned. The lorry driver, a man in his 40s, was trapped in the wreckage and, upon initial assessment by ambulance staff, it was clear he had sustained serious injuries.

“Ambulance staff, the doctor, HART and the fire service’s technical rescue team worked together to carefully extricate the man from the cab. After a complex extrication, the man was fully released from the overturned cab. Ambulance staff were then able to administer advanced trauma care to stabilise his condition and treat the injuries he had sustained to his head, body, arms and leg.  The man was given advanced pain relief before being fully immobilised and taken on blue lights to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham; the doctor travelled in the ambulance to continue treatment en route.

“The second lorry driver, who was out of his vehicle upon our arrival, was described as walking wounded. He had suffered minor injuries and was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital as a precaution.”

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Tuesday 10^th October 2017 – 11am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A man has died after his car collided with a car and a tree in Stratford-upon-Avon yesterday (Monday).

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Birmingham Road, near to Tesco Supermarket, shortly before 4.50pm and sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a rapid response paramedic and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Car to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered an elderly man in cardiac arrest following a collision involving two cars and and a tree.

“Ambulance staff administered CPR and advanced life support in an attempt to restart the patient’s heart.

“However, sadly it became apparent that nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“Nobody else was injured in the incident.”

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Friday 6^th October 2017 – 11am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

A driver’s decision to get out of his broken-down car whilst waiting for assistance has potentially saved his life after it was struck by a second vehicle just moments later.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) received a call to a road traffic collision on the A38, near to the junction with the A5192, in Lichfield at 6.09am and sent one ambulance and a paramedic officer to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We arrived to find a car on its roof that had crashed into the central reservation after colliding with a stationary car.

“The driver of the stationary car, which had broken down, had moved to a place of safety at the roadside, a decision which has potentially saved his life given the collision that followed.

“WMAS urges all occupants to get out and move to a place of safety on the roadside if you are unfortunate enough to break down whilst travelling. It really is not worth the risk of sitting in your vehicle because, as proved in this case, it has the potential to lead to extremely serious consequences.

“The driver of the overturned car, a man believed to be in his 40s, was assisted out of the vehicle, treated for back pain and immobilised before being taken to Queens Hospital, Burton.”

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Notes to Editors:

If used, please credit the image to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Thursday 5^th October 2017 – 3.35pm – Jamie Arrowsmith.

Five people have been assessed by ambulance staff, three of whom required treatment and taking to hospital, following a collision between a car and a bus this afternoon.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Alcester Road South in Kings Heath, Birmingham, shortly before 1.10pm and sent three ambulances and a paramedic officer to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews were told that the collision was minor with neither vehicle having suffered significant damage.

“There were five patients, all of whom were travelling on the bus.

“The most seriously injured was a woman, believed to be in her 20s, who was treated by ambulance staff for a suspected fractured pelvis before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham on blue lights and sirens.

“Two further patients were taken to the same hospital with minor injuries. They were a woman in her 20s with chest pain and a man in his 70s with leg and rib injuries.

“A man in his 40s and an additional woman in her 20s were assessed and discharged at the scene.”

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Wednesday 4^th October 2017 – 10.15am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

“Without them – I would not be here today and I cannot thank them enough.”

These are the words two Staffordshire-based members of staff heard last Wednesday (Sept 27) when they were reunited with a patient who had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Chris Rowley (70) from Stoke, was undertaking his regular gym workout at 21^st Century Leisure on Davenport Street when the incident occurred in January this year. Paramedic Matt Harrison and Technician Ryan Slater were first on scene and on their arrival found gym owner, Nick Lovell, already performing CPR.

Matt and Ryan were quickly backed up by a second crew, Paramedic Helen Elson and Technician Elaine Webster. With CPR continuing as well as the use of a defibrillator, advanced life support was also administered, all of which allowed Chris’ heart to be successfully restarted.

He remained in a serious condition throughout the journey to Royal Stoke University Hospital but thankfully went on to make a full recovery and after two weeks was able to return home.

Chris, who turned 70 recently, said: “I’d come to the gym as normal and had nearly finished my work-out for the day, but that’s the last thing I remember. Next thing I know, later that same day, I find myself waking up in hospital.

“Obviously I gradually started to understand what had happened and everything that people had done for me and it’s quite incredible really. Without Nick starting CPR and the work of the ambulance crews, I would not be here to tell this story, I cannot thank people enough, including all of the staff at the hospital.”

Paramedic Matt, added: “We arrived to find Nick performing really good CPR which is of the utmost importance in a situation like this and has played a huge part in saving Chris’ life.

“We, as ambulance staff, often get referred to as heroes, but I don’t believe we are. The real heroes from my point of view are the people that are willing to do what Nick has done, stand out from the crowd and be willing to do CPR – ultimately, saving Chris’ life.

“It’s fantastic to see Chris today and see how well he is doing, we don’t often get to discover what has happened to patients we have treated so seeing Chris fit and well having returned to his normal daily life is great.”

The importance of early CPR was a point backed up by Ryan, who said: “If we walk in to a patient and someone is doing CPR, it is a massive help to us and gives the patient a better chance of survival.

“Every second counts, so the sooner chest compressions are started the chance of survival, even though still small, is much greater. In this situation, CPR was started almost immediately and the outcome was absolutely amazing.

“Everyone should learn to do CPR, it is a really easy thing to do and it could help you save someone’s life.

“Also, if people can find where there nearest defibrillator is, this could prove vital in saving someone’s life. They tell you what to do, there is absolutely no need to be scared of trying to use one.”

Gym owner Nick, added: “I found Chris slumped over one of the exercise bikes. I managed to lie him down on the floor and discovered his heart was not beating.

“I began doing CPR and rescue breaths, which, thankfully I knew from St John Ambulance training and several other first aid courses I have attended.

“I’m really pleased that everything has gone well for Chris and his family, it is brilliant to see.

“Everyone should learn how to do CPR, there’s no excuse. It is not expensive or difficult to learn and you could save someone’s life.

“Following Chris’ incident we started fund-raising to purchase a defibrillator which is now installed in the gym and on the wall ready to use should we ever need it….but hopefully we don’t.”

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Notes to Editors: If using the images or videos, please credit them to West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Image 1 – Chris Rowley with WMAS Paramedic Matt Harrison (left) and Technician Ryan Slater.

Image 2 – (l-r) WMAS Paramedic Matt Harrison, Chris Rowley, Valda Rowley (Chris’ wife), Ryan Slater, Nick Lovell (21st Century Leisure Gym Owner).

Video 1: Chris Rowley and Paramedic Matt Harrison.

Video 2: Gym owner Nick Lovell and Technician Ryan Slater.

Video 3: Paramedic Matt Harrison and Technician Ryan Slater.