Heart victim: Chopper ride saved my life
AIR AMBULANCE CALLED AS PAULINE COLLAPSES IN THE PEAK DISTRICT
A WOMAN who had a heart attack while in the Peak District was saved by the local air ambulance.
Pauline Dainty believes she would not now be around to enjoy Christmas if the charity-funded helicopter had not got her to Royal Derby Hospital so quickly.
Pauline, who was aged 69 at the time of the incident, said: “Without doubt the charity saved my life that day and I wouldn’t be looking forward to spending this Christmas with my six grandchildren if it wasn’t for them.”
She was nearing the top of a flight of steep steps at Ashbourne Heights campsite near Fenny Bentley when she had severe chest pains.
She said: “At first I thought it was bad indigestion but it got really bad, worse than having a baby.”
A member of staff at the campsite dialled 999 and a land ambulance attended the scene of the incident, which happened in March 2017.
Pauline was given morphine to help ease the pain but it was vital that she got the urgent medical treatment she needed as quickly as possible. The Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance was called out to fly her to the Royal Derby Hospital, which is 17 miles away by road. The journey would normally take about half an hour via the A52 but on that particular day there were severe traffic hold-ups around Ashbourne with local roads at a standstill.
Pauline said: “Everything happened so quickly. I had the heart attack at 2pm and by 3.30pm I was on a ward after having a stent fitted.
“The helicopter landed on the hospital roof, the consultant was waiting for me and did the procedure immediately. “The quick treatment meant I had no long-term damage and I now lead a normal life.”
She was kept in hospital for two days and had to take it easy for a while afterwards to recover properly. Pauline, from Nottingham, is on regular medication and enjoying life to the full. Her hobbies include taking long walks in the local countryside.
“You would never know now that I had a heart attack. I thank God and the local air ambulance for saving my life. “The charity receives no government funding and relies on public donations to remain operational, so if you’re supporting charities this Christmas I urge you to choose Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance – it’s there for everybody who lives in the area,” she said.
I wouldn’t be looking forward to spending this Christmas with my six grandchildren if it wasn’t for them. Pauline Dainty