Kentish Express Ashford & District
Son saved dad’s life after cardiac arrest at home
A father of three who suffered a cardiac arrest was given life-saving chest compressions by his son before ambulance crews arrived.
Gerard Quinn was at his home in Ashford with his wife Jenny, daughter Elizabeth and son Solomon when he collapsed.
After calling 999, Jenny moved her husband to a safe space on their bedroom floor before their son Solomon performed life-saving chest compressions while ambulance crews made their way to the scene.
Paramedics arrived in under two minutes and, working with colleagues from Kent Fire and Rescue Service, safely transferred Gerard to the William Harvey Hospital, where he remained in a coma in the intensive care unit for more than a moBnHtOhp.en
Speaking after the incident, Gerard, 59, says he has no recollection of the cardiac arrest or of his time at the Harvey.
He says he woke up in the hospital thinking ‘I didn’t go to bed here’ but says as scary as it was, the event has made them closer as a family.
South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) critical care paramedic Chris Fudge said Gerard is here because of his son Solomon.
11/0“4/O20f2t4 en 16:p23e:3o4ple are not able to perform chest compressions on a loved one, but Solomon did with flying colours,” he said.
“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Gerard has made a good recovery.”
Gerard and his family were reunited with ambulance paramedics Julia Lewis and Jenna Woodcock, trainee associate ambulance practitioner Sophie Emery as well as operational team leader John Sweeney and Mr Fudge.
The 59-year-old is now on his journey to full recovery and hopes to get back to work soon as a mechanic.
His wife Jenny said: “When Gerard first woke up from the coma he couldn’t move, or even open his eyes.
“Every single day since then his situation has improved, which is a miracle.”
Julia from SECAmb added: “I’ve been on the road for 14 years and I can only count on one hand how many cardiac arrest returns we’ve successfully completed.”