Off-Duty Paramedics Save Commuter After He Collapses at Tube Station
By Community Correspondent
A commuter who suffered a cardiac arrest after collapsing at Acton Town Tube station has been reunited with the three off-duty paramedics who saved his life.
James Short, 49, from Uxbridge, was on his way to work at Chiswick Business Park when he fell down the steps as he left the station before going into cardiac arrest.
"I was on my way to work and as I left the underground station at Acton Town, I reached for the handrail, missed it and fell down," James said.
"I tried to stand up but then I passed out."
By chance, three off-duty London Ambulance Service paramedics were all on their way to the same training course that morning.
Sophie Beswick had just left the station when a member of the public recognised her green paramedic uniform and asked for help.
"I was walking out of the Tube station and someone saw my green trousers and ran over and asked if I was a paramedic because a gentleman had collapsed," she said.
"James was lying on the floor and I could see he was in cardiac arrest. I got the station's public defibrillator and started CPR straight away."
Sophie was soon joined by fellow off-duty paramedics Josh Denbigh and Nicki Simper.
Together, they continued CPR and used the defibrillator until James's heart started beating again.
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Ambulance crews Chris Saxby, Joe Newton and Jane Battle arrived shortly afterwards, alongside Flight Paramedic Nick Baxter and colleagues from London's Air Ambulance.
James was taken on blue lights to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, where he was treated for his cardiac arrest. Medics were also concerned he may have suffered a head injury when he fell.
Months later, James was able to thank the crews who helped save his life.
"I'm so lucky the paramedics were nearby because they started CPR so quickly," he said.
"It's surreal being told how close I came to not being here. My wife lived through that and when I came round I could see how upsetting it had been for her.
"We're just so thankful to everyone involved. My life was in their hands and I could never thank them enough. They're amazing people."
James, who recently underwent heart surgery, is continuing his recovery and hopes to return to running marathons.
"I feel fantastic now and a lot of that is down to the excellent care I received," he said.
