A Bristol police officer has said a heartfelt thank you to the emergency and medical teams which saved his life - after his heart stopped beating twice.
Avon and Somerset Police Constable, Ben Perrin, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at Chipping Sodbury Police Station on the evening of March 17 after attending an incident.
Ben, then 43, had reported feeling unwell, before colleagues found him unconscious and not breathing.
They called 999, did CPR, and used a defibrillator in an effort to get his heart beating again.
Ben was then rushed to hospital where he suffered a severe pulmonary haemorrhage and a second cardiac arrest.
He was not expected to survive the night.
However, despite the odds and thanks to medical intervention he survived and has gone on to make an extraordinary recovery.
Ben was able to thank those who saved his life in an emotional reunion at his police force headquarters in Portishead.
He said: “I can’t even remember going to work that day. But I feel like I’m the luckiest man on earth.
'I should have died'
"I shouldn’t be here, I should have died.
“I’m very grateful for all the care I received from everyone including my colleagues.
“If you find someone unconscious and not breathing, stay calm and call 999 for an ambulance. And try CPR because you can’t make the situation any worse.”
On the day Ben collapsed, SWASFT Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Sigourney Keyte, guided Ben's colleague, PC Ryan Thomas, through the basic life support procedure, while PC Nathan Sollis did CPR and used the defibrillator.
A large team of responders – including paramedic land crews, specialist cardiac arrest support tier (CAST) paramedics, and a critical care team from Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) – provided advanced life support in a continued effort to resuscitate Ben.
Paramedics transported Ben to hospital by ambulance in a critical condition.
A mechanical CPR device was used to administer automated chest compressions on him.
As well as having the significant bleed, Ben also had sepsis and a type of pneumonia.
But after being in an induced coma for three weeks, he was released home on Good Friday.
PC Nathan Sollis, who gave the initial CPR to his colleague and close friend, said: “The adrenaline took over, and we got on with it until the ambulance crews took over.
“We were told he wasn’t going to recover. It was difficult to comprehend what had happened to a very good friend. But he managed to pull through. Ben’s a miracle man.”
'It is an incredible feeling'
Rhys Griffiths, SWASFT Operations Officer, who was one of the first ambulance responders to the incident, said: “Ben is a success story where early intervention from his colleagues no doubt saved his life.
"Without their rapid actions, Ben’s story may have been different. Police staff laid a great foundation for SWASFT to continue resuscitation and utilise our advanced treatment. They deserve much praise for their swift actions on the night of his cardiac arrest.
“This was an ultimate team effort from police, hospital staff, air ambulance and ambulance staff. We all train and educate ourselves to a high level, and it is always an incredible feeling to be involved in making such a huge difference for a patient.”
Anyone who suspects someone is having a heart attack or cardiac arrest should call 999 immediately, begin CPR and use a public access defibrillator if one is available.
