Heliheroessaveddad of3who‘died’7times
Pilot and medics flew through snow storm to get hillwalker Duncan Stevenson to hospital after he suffered cardiac arrests and heart stops several times during flight
THEY are the heroes of the sky – the air ambulance team who saved a patient who “died” seven times during a stormy flight to hospital.
Shaun Rose, 54, John Pritchard, 52, and Richard Garside, 44, faced an epic battle to save Duncan Stevenson, 57, who suffered a heart attack while out hillwalking in February last year.
The dad of three had collapsed near Killin, Perthshire, and the Scottish Air Ambulance crew were deployed to airlift him to a specialist cardiac care unit for lifesaving treatment.
Within moments of take-off, Duncan, from Biggar, Lanarkshire, suffered a second cardiac arrest and paramedics John and Richard carried out CPR and used a defibrillator to shock his heart back to life.
They had to resuscitate him a further six times during the flight as he repeatedly re-arrested.
Meanwhile, rapidly deteriorating weather conditions meant the paramedics were working on a constantly shifting and tilting platform as pilot Shaun navigated through a snow storm.
But thanks to th eir extraordinary work, Duncan not only survived but suffered no brain damage.
The trio’s teamwork has earned them a Scotland’s Champions nomination in the Emergency Services category.
Pilot Shaun said: “It was without a doubt the most difficult flight of my career, and I’ve faced many, many challenging situations in the air.
“Afterwards, we just slapped each other on the back, had a hug and then collapsed with a cup of tea.
“The conditions meant the paramedics were working on a constantly shifting and tilting platform. They were amazing – real pros.”
Duncan, a self-employed countryside management consultant, was walking with pals at Loch Tay near Killin when he suffered a heart attack.
After seeking help from a farmer, who rushed them back to their hotel in the village, Duncan’s pals called for an ambulance.
He said: “I started not feeling too well but I just pushed it to the back of my mind and pushed on.
“But it got a lot worse – and then I couldn’t move.
“The roads were flooded and we couldn’t get back so a local farmer took us back to Killin and then we were able to call for an ambulance.
“Things quickly got a lot worse and I started having those really chesty pains and cramps.
“An hour later, the ambulance arrived. They wired me up and quickly knew I was having a heart attack and I needed a helicopter.”
Duncan added: “It was a really rough trip – it was touch and go whether they could get me through.
“My heart stopped seven times in total on the journey to Ninewells hospital in Dundee. In the helicopter, they kept saying, ‘Duncan are you alright, are you alright?’ And I kept thinking, ‘Why are they asking that?’ but it was every time my heart stopped and they were bringing me back round again.”
Duncan, who had a stent put in one of his arteries that had become blocked, went on to make a full recovery and was back home with his wife just three days later.
He says he owes his life to the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance crews and everyone involved that day. He said: “The whole team, even from my mates at the start, got everything right, I’m so lucky.
“I asked the consultant what caused it and he said it’s just the way it is, you’re just a middle-aged bloke from Scotland.
“We’re so fortunate to have the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance – they are so professional.
“My heart stopped seven times – I owe my life to them.”
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is Scotland’s first and only charityfunded air ambulance service.
Do you know someone who is worthy of a Scotland’s Champion Award? If so, go to www.scotlandschampions.co.uk
Nominations close on July 12, so get nominating while you can.