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Over the weekend, the life of Glenn Hoddle was saved by the quick actions of a sound engineer who started CPR and used a defibrillator  when the former England international footballer suffered a cardiac arrest.

Each year, West Midlands Ambulance Service attends about 4,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests.  Sadly, only about 7% of those people will survive!  It’s a shocking figure, especially when in some countries like Denmark, the figure is around 25%.  Why? Simple, the number of people who know CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and are prepared to act is too small.  It’s even more tragic when you consider how easy it is to do.

When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts.  The patient will be unconscious and their heart won’t be beating – they are clinically dead and will stay that way unless someone is prepared to do something.

Giving CPR buys the patient time, so the ambulance service can get there.  You can’t hurt the person; doing something can only help.  For every minute after the patient’s heart has stopped, their chance of survival drops by 10%, so you can see why time is of the essence.

Community Response Manager Cliff Medlicott says: “While yes, it might be scary,  easy it is easy to be a #lifesaver:

While CPR can buy you time, it is the use of a defibrillator that will get save the patient.  There are now thousands of AEDS – automatic external defibrillators  – in the community.  You’ve probably seen them at airports, railway stations, but increasingly on the walls of village shops, supermarkets and even old telephone boxes.

The question is; do you know where your nearest #defib is?  If not, make sure you find out as your life, or the life of a loved one could depend on it.

Senior paramedic Nick Henry says: “I can only speak personally, but saving a life is the most incredible experience; knowing that your actions mean someone will get to spend time with their loved ones when they wouldn’t otherwise have had that chance.

“You don’t need any training to use an AED; they actually tell you what to do, so please take the time to find the closest device to your home and work at least and you could save a life:

A cardiac can strike anyone at any time: it could be a loved one, a friend, a complete stranger.  If you know what to do, you could help save their life.  Why would you not want to learn how to do CPR?  It doesn’t take long to learn and there are courses all over the place.

Monday 10^th September 2018 – 2.32pm – Murray MacGregor.

A teenager has died after an RTC despite the efforts of ambulance and hospital staff.

The incident happened on Wolverhampton Road in Quinton last night (Sunday 9^th September) at about 11.45pm.

An ambulance was on scene less than 3 minutes after the first 999 call and was backed up by a second ambulance, a paramedic officer the the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival ambulance staff found an 18-year-old was whose motorbike had hit a tree.

“Ambulance staff carried out life support and advanced trauma care at the scene before taking the man to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“Sadly, he died later at hospital.”

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Anyone with information can call the West Midlands Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101; quoting log number 2845 of 09/09/18.

Monday 10^th September 2018 – 9.25am – Murray MacGregor.

Ambulance staff worked with firefighters to treat a man who was found at the bottom of a cliff near Bridgnorth before he was lowered to safety using ropes.

Emergency services were called to High Rock, off Telford Road at 10.15pm lat night, Sunday.

An ambulance, a paramedic officer, the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and a senior paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The man, who was in his 20s, was found at the bottom of a 25 metre cliff, thought it wasn’t clear how he had come to be there.

“The man was complaining of back and shoulder pain.  He was immobilised, had his injuries splinted and was given pain relief.  The HART team then clipped the stretcher onto a rope system put in place by Shropshire Fire; the man was then lowered down a steep embankment before being taken to New Cross Hospital for further assessment and treatment.

Ambulance staff also joined police and fire colleagues in a search of the area after reports that there could have been a second patient.

Nothing was found and ambulance staff were stood down at about 2.50am (Monday).

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Tuesday 4^th September 2018 – 3.34pm – Murray MacGregor.

An elderly cyclist has died after reports of an incident involving a car.

It happened at about noon on Fen End Road West in Knowle

An off-duty paramedic started resuscitation at the scene while two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were en-route.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The exact circumstances of what happened were not clear.

“Unfortunately, the elderly man suffered a cardiac arrest and despite CPR being started shortly after the incident, sadly it was not possible to save the man and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“There were no other injuries.”

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Tuesday 4^th September 2018 – 1:43pm – Murray MacGregor.

A total of six people have been assessed and treated by ambulance staff after a crash.

It happened at the junction of Wednesbury Road and Corporation Street West in Walsall, shortly before 11.00am this morning (Tuesday).

A total of three ambulances, two paramedic officers and the aircrews of two Midlands Air Ambulances, who responded in cars, were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, there were a number of damaged vehicles.  One had collided with a lamppost and a wall.  There were three patients:

• A 20-year-old man had suffered a head injury. He didn’t wish to be immobilised and was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital by ambulance.
• A 16-year-old girl had suffered multiple injuries. After treatment at the scene, she too was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.
• A second man had suffered minor injuries and was left with police.

“A second car had suffered significant damage that resulted in the driver being trapped for around an hour.  The woman in her 40s was extricated with the help of firefighters.  She had suffered multiple injuries and was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“A 3-year-old girl who was in a car set, escaped serious injury.  She was assessed at the scene and was discharged.

“The final patient was a middle-aged man who was a pedestrian.  He suffered a minor leg injury and was also taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.”

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Wednesday 22^nd August 2018 – 11:15am – Murray MacGregor.

A motorcyclist received advanced trauma care from ambulance staff after suffering serious injuries following a collision with a car.

The incident happened at just before 7.10pm on Tuesday evening near the junction of Uttoxeter Road and the B5013, just outside Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire.

An ambulance arrived on scene in under five minutes and was backed up by the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire which had a doctor and critical care paramedic on board.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a motorcycle that had suffered serious damage.  The car also had severe damage to the bonnet and windscreen.

“The rider, a 46-year-old man had suffered multiple injuries.  He was immobilised and received treatment from the ambulance staff and the doctor before being taken to the major trauma centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital.”

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Monday 13^th August 2018 – 4.05pm – Murray MacGregor.

A pedestrian has been taken to a major trauma centre in a critical condition after a collision with a light goods vehicle.

The incident happened at about 1.40pm on Hagley Road in the Harborne area of Birmingham

An ambulance that was transporting a patient to hospital came across the incident shortly after it had happened.  A second ambulance, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford with a doctor on board were also sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When ambulance crews arrived, they found a middle-aged man who had suffered very significant injuries.

“The man was treated at the scene by ambulance staff.  He was immobilised before being anaesthetised by the doctor and was then taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

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Thursday 9^th August 2018 – 9.25am – Murray MacGregor.

A man has been taken to hospital after a crash on the M6 that saw a lorry leave the motorway and crash into trees on the embankment.

The crash happened at about 2.30am this morning within junction 13.

An ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found an articulated lorry that had left the motorway to the nearside and was against the trees on the embankment.

“The driver was unable to get out until firefighters had stabilised the vehicle. He was then helped out of the cab by ambulance staff.

“The 63 year old was assessed at the scene and treated for a head injury and was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital for further assessment.”

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Pictures courtesy of @HighwaysWMIDS

   

Wednesday 8^th August 2018 – 8.40am – Murray MacGregor.

A pilot has suffered multiple injuries after the microlight he was in crash landed.

It happened at Charity Farm off Main Road in Baxterley near Atherstone in Warwickshire at just after 6.30pm on Tuesday evening.

The Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire was first on scene and was backed up by an ambulance, a paramedic officer and the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they were told that the microlight had hit the ground before crashing into a metal fence.

“The pilot, a middle-aged man was initially trapped in the wreckage.  Ambulance staff worked with firefighters to free him.

“He had suffered serious injuries.  He was treated with advanced trauma care, had splints put in place, was immobilised and was given pain relief before being airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire to a waiting trauma team.  His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.”

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Monday 6^th August 2018 – 9.55am – Murray MacGregor.

The life of a driver whose car crashed into the stone wall of a barn may have been saved by the swift action of passers-by who went to her aid and started CPR.

The crash happened just before 12.30am this morning near The Old Post Office in Bucknell, near the Shropshire / Herefordshire / Welsh border.

Two ambulances, one from Wales and the other from West Midlands attended the scene along with a West Midlands paramedic officer.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival ambulance staff found a woman in her 50s who had been pulled from the wreckage of the car she was in with excellent CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) being carried out.

“Ambulance staff took over and managed to get the woman breathing again for herself.  She was immobilised before the crew set off towards the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

“However, due to the serious nature of her multiple injuries, the Emergency Operations Centre got the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic to rendezvous with the crew near Ludlow.

“Once on board they anaesthetised the woman and provided advanced clinical care while the journey on blue lights continued.

“Once again, the actions of those at the scene have given a patient a chance at survival that they otherwise might not have had.  We would urge everyone to learn how to carry out CPR – you never know when you could be called upon to use the skill to save a life of a friend, loved one or total stranger.”

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(Library picture)

Monday 30^th July 2018 – 8:15pm – Murray MacGregor.

A man has died after a crash on a motorway involving two lorries and a van.

It happened ono the northbound M5 at junction 5 at around 3.15pm on Monday afternoon.

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

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a van that had suffered severe damage after getting caught between the two lorries.

“Sadly, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the van driver and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The driver of the front lorry, a man in his 50s was assessed at the scene for knee pain and shock but was discharged.

“The 60-year-old driver in the rear lorry was assessed at the scene and taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital by ambulance with minor cuts and abrasions.”

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Monday 30^th July 2018 – 9.20am – Murray MacGregor.

A woman has died and two men have suffered serious injuries after a two car crash.

The incident happened at about 8.25pm on Kingsland Road in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham.

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the MERIT Trauma doctor and critical care paramedic were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews found two cars that had suffered significant damage.

“A woman and a man were in the first vehicle.  The woman was rapidly extracted from the vehicle and resuscitation carried out along with advanced life support, but sadly it was not possible to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

“The driver in the car initially had a reduced level of consciousness and was trapped for a short period.  Firefighters removed the roof to allow ambulance staff to extricate him.

“He had suffered multiple injuries, though he regained full consciousness while being treated.  He was immobilised and had a pelvic binder put in place before being taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“A man in his 20s from the Audi involved in the crash suffered multiple injuries.  He was anaesthetised at the scene and was immobilised before being taken on blue lights to the same hospital; the doctor and critical care paramedic travelled with the ambulance crew.

“A woman who was at the location but was not from either of the cars was also treated at the scene after becoming unwell.  She was discharged at scene.

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Friday 27th July – 8.45am – Jamie Arrowsmith.

West Midlands Ambulance Service received a call to Bishops Bowl Lakes on Station Road, Southam, at 6.12pm last night (Thursday) following reports of a patient in the water.

Three ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene, crews were told a teenage male had got into difficulty in the water.

“Ambulance crews worked closely with Warwickshire Fire Service and Warwickshire Police to begin searching for the teenager.

“Sadly, all of our resources were stood down for the night without the patient having been found.

“Specialist police water rescue teams have returned to the site this morning to continue the search.

“The family of the missing teenager continue to be supported by specialist officers from Warwickshire Police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 396 of 26^th July.”

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Thursday 19^th July 2018 – 5.20pm – Murray MacGregor.

Two people have been taken to a major trauma centre after a crash that left one patient trapped for over an hour.

The incident happened at about 10.50am this morning on the A3400 Shipston on Stour to Tredington road.

The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, two ambulance crews and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance crews found two cars that had both suffered front end damage.  One of the cars was off the road in a hedge and both drivers were trapped.

“Ambulance staff worked with firefighter to extricate the patients.

“The first, a middle aged woman was able to get out of the vehicle after firefighters removed the door.  She was treated for potentially serious injuries and was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.

“It took over an hour to get the driver of the second car out.  The man, who was in his 60s had less serious injuries.  He was given pain relief and was immobilised before being taken to the same hospital by land ambulance.”

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Thursday 19^th July 2018 – 4.30pm – Murray MacGregor.

An elderly walker who was injured after a fall has been airlifted to hospital.

The incident happened at just after 9.00am on The Wrekin, near Telford between Halfway House and Devils Gate.

An ambulance and a paramedic officer in a 4×4 were initially sent to the scene.  An off duty paramedic also stopped to offer assistance.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The walker, who was in his 80s, had fallen and landed awkwardly.  The crew and paramedic officer were able to make up to the walker in the 4×4 but after assessing the patient requested an air ambulance be sent and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford was dispatched to the scene and landed on the path.

“The walker was assessed at the scene for arm, leg and head injuries before being flown to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for further treatment.”

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Picture from @Helistig 

Wednesday 18^th July 2018 – 9.05am – Murray MacGregor.

A motorcycle rider has died after a crash last night (Tuesday).

The incident happened at about 9.00pm at the roundabout where The Ringway and Comberton Hill meet in Kidderminster.

A senior paramedic officer, a paramedic officer and an ambulance were sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to find the rider in the subway in the middle of the roundabout.

“The man had suffered multiple injuries and sadly, it was immediately obvious that nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.”

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Tuesday 17^th July 2018 – 12:45pm – Murray MacGregor.

A motorcycle rider has been airlifted to a major trauma centre after crashing this morning.

The incident happened at about 7.40am on Worcester Road by Hartlebury Trading Estate in Hartlebury, Worcestershire.

A number of passers-by including off-duty nurses and a firefighter came to the man’s aid before an ambulance and then the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford arrived.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The staff were told that it was a single vehicle crash involving a lamppost.

“The rider, a man in his 30s, had suffered some nasty injuries.  Working together, the crew and air ambulance staff provided pain relief before applying splints after manipulating the injuries.

“The air ambulance, which had landed in the road nearby, then flew the man to the major trauma centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

“Whilst the man suffered serious injuries, the crews remarked that the fact he was wearing full biker leathers and a helmet reduced the level of injuries.”

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Tuesday 17^th July 2018 – 7.45am – Murray MacGregor.

Ambulance staff are urging youngsters to wear a cycle helmet when riding off road in the woods.  The call comes after a youngster was anaesthetised and taken on blue lights to a paediatric major trauma centre after crashing.

The incident happened in Perry Wood Local Nature Reserve, off Redfern Avenue in Worcester at about 3.30pm on Monday afternoon.

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

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The incident happened on a steep slope about 50 yards into the woods when the boy crashed while going down the slope leaving him unconscious.

“The boy suffered a head injury. After being assessed by the doctor, the decision was taken to anaesthetise the youngster before he was taken on blue lights by road to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“While it is clearly a matter for the individual or their parent/guardian, our view is that a cycle helmet can help prevent injury and could have resulted in a different outcome in this case.

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Thursday 12^th July 2018 – 4:30pm – Murray MacGregor.

A woman has died and a man has suffered potentially seriously injuries after a stabbing incident in the Small Heath area of Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Aubrey Road at 11.00am this morning (Thursday).

Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car, the Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were all sent to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found an 86 year woman who had suffered very serious stab wounds. Ambulance staff immediately started treating her, but sadly it was not possible to save her and she was confirmed dead at the scene.

“A second patient, an 18 year old man, had also suffered very serious stab wounds.  He was treated at the scene before being taken by land ambulance to a major trauma centre with an air ambulance doctor travelling with the crew.”

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