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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sarah Ward & Gemma Ryder

Pensioner nearly dies eating Scots morning roll on Edinburgh holiday

An OAP has thanked paramedics for saving his life after "foolishly" eating a Scots morning roll that nearly killed him.

Terry Hanson, 71, was on holiday in Edinburgh when he had a morning roll for breakfast, despite knowing he was allergic to wheat.

A little while later he went for a walk in Newhailes, and realised the exercise had triggered a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Terry, of Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, fell ill around 2pm on November 13.

His wife Elizabeth called an ambulance as Terry began to suffer from anaphylaxis and passed out.

A group of cyclists passing by stopped by; one called an ambulance and Elizabeth administered an EpiPen.

Edinburgh crew save life of man who had an allergic reaction after eating Scottish roll (Scottish Ambulance Service)

Terry was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and discharged at 3am the following morning.

The couple have passed on their thanks to Scott Atkinson, Paramedic, and Andrew Innes, Technician, both of Edinburgh City Station.

Terry said: "We were visiting friends. I had breakfast, and I foolishly had a Scottish morning roll, even though I knew I had an allergy to wheat flour.

"Everything was okay until I started walking and the times I've had anaphylaxis in the past, it's always been associated with eating wheat flour and then exercising afterwards, so it was just totally the wrong thing to do."

Elizabeth said: "I noticed he was very pale and just didn't look right.

"He kind of staggered to a bridge. After a few minutes, he totally lost consciousness.

"The ambulance arrived very, very quickly and just in time to save my husband's life.

"The two ambulance staff were accompanied by a university student who was observing and helping."

They were "blue lighted" to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Elizabeth added: "My husband was seen immediately and stabilised.

"One of the ambulance staff found me in the waiting area and updated me with everything, even though it was extremely busy.

"Nursing staff also took the time to update me in the waiting area too.

"I am in no doubt that his life was saved by the swift actions of the ambulance staff and I would like to pass on our sincerest thanks and gratitude to them - I hope they realise how incredible they all are.

"The staff who attended to him were all very efficient and friendly. I feel he received the absolute best care that he could have possibly received."

Terry added: "I just want to say thanks very much to the ambulance crew for saving my life.
"I'm sure I would not have made it if not for them."

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