Cardiac arrest survivor meets life-saving paramedics

A Tube passenger who went into cardiac arrest has been reunited with the paramedics who saved his life.

Paul Benson, 67, collapsed in the pedestrian tunnel at Liverpool Street station as he and his wife Lorraine, 59, were on their way to catch the Elizabeth Line.

Members of the public stopped to perform chest compressions and used the station's defibrillator before ambulance clinicians arrived on scene.

Mr Benson has also thanked the "good Samaritans" who kept him alive until the paramedics arrived.

"It's important that Londoners aren't frightened to stop and help. It's very easy to walk past but those who step in can save lives.

"They can't make it any worse but they can certainly make it better. Thanks to their help I've been able to carry on with my life."

An off-duty nurse, doctor and pharmacist were nearby and started chest compressions immediately while someone ran to find the defibrillator at the station.

Mr Benson was then taken by paramedics to the nearest Heart Attack Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital where he had bypass surgery.

Paramedic Jackson Day, one of the ambulance crews who treated Paul on scene, said: "It was great to meet Paul and see such a positive outcome for him.

"I've worked at London Ambulance Service for nearly seven years and this was my first time meeting someone I've treated who suffered a cardiac arrest. It was a really special moment."

Mr Benson said that the defibrillator saved his life.

He is now backing the London Ambulance Charity's campaign, Heart Starters, which will work with local communities to fund additional defibrillators for the most deprived areas of the capital.

Analysis by the London Ambulance Service has revealed that dozens of neighbourhoods are "defibrillator deserts" – where there is little or no access to a life saving device.

The data has revealed large discrepancies between communities in outcomes for cardiac arrest and the availability of life-saving devices.

Early use of a defibrillator and chest compressions can more than double a person's chance of survival.

Chair of the London Assembly health committee, Krupesh Hirani AM said the committee "recognises the necessity of improving out of hospital cardiac arrest survival by equipping Londoners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to act in the vital few minutes before an ambulance arrives".

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