Ambulance crews thanked by man for saving his life

A man who suffered a cardiac arrest at home has thanked the NHS ambulance crews who saved his life.

Ken Christy was looking after his six-month-old daughter in South Ockendon, Essex, when the medical emergency unfolded on 9 March 2025.

Crews worked on the 63-year-old for 30 minutes before his heart restarted and he was airlifted to hospital.

Christy said he would be "forever thankful" as he met them at Basildon ambulance station a year after he collapsed.

He has been unable to return to work as a butcher, but has had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted to help his recovery.

Christy had been experiencing what he thought was routine heartburn before the emergency at about 21:00 GMT.

His partner, Gemma Hurrell, dialled 999 while her eldest daughter, Katie, delivered chest compressions.

The first ambulance arrived within three minutes and was joined by a second crew, as well as the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance team.

After critical care was administered at the scene, Christy was taken to Basildon University Hospital where he was diagnosed with a blocked valve that triggered the cardiac arrest.

Christy and Hurrell were invited to the ambulance station with daughters Katie, Erinn and Grace a year after the incident.

He said: "It was quite emotional for Gemma and me seeing the teams who saved my life.

"I don't remember anything about what happened and today has filled in a lot of blanks.

"I will be forever thankful to them all for enabling me to be here for Gemma and the children."

Mike Bates, from the East of England Ambulance Service, said it was a "powerful reminder" of the impact paramedics had every day.

He added: "It was a pleasure to meet Ken and the family, and I hope his recovery continues to go well."

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