Bournemouth Cardiac arrest survivor reunites with lifesaving ambulance crew
A Bournemouth man has been reunited with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) ambulance crew who saved his life after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Ken Surtees, 64, collapsed near his home on Thursday 31 October 2024 after experiencing severe chest pain. Recognising something was seriously wrong, Ken dialled 999.
An ambulance crew arrived within minutes and began providing urgent emergency care. As Ken was being taken to the ambulance, he went into cardiac arrest. Paramedics immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and delivered eight defibrillator shocks while transporting him at speed to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Ken spent five weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, followed by a further two weeks in hospital, before being discharged on 22 December 2024.
A year on from his cardiac arrest, Ken had the opportunity to be reunited with Rebecca Wells, Student Paramedic, Karen Bostock, Paramedic, Slavka Gregova, Paramedic and Kevin Myall, Emergency Care Assistant. The reunion took place on Thursday 27 November at Christchurch Ambulance Station.
Ken said: "I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to meet Rebecca, Karen, Slavka and Kevin in person and thank them properly. It was really special - and without a doubt, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here today."
He added: "My recovery has been steady but challenging. I had rehabilitation for a few weeks after getting home, and it was around two months before I could start easing back into normal life. I'm still weak and my heart is only working at around 30 per cent, but I've managed to return to work part-time."
Karen Bostock, Paramedic at SWASFT said: "Reuniting with Ken was incredibly special. As paramedics, we rarely get to see the people we've helped once they're back on their feet, so witnessing his recovery means the world. It's an honour to see him again and to know we played a part in his journey."
Despite the challenges he has faced, Ken is looking to the future with optimism and is preparing for a trip to Bali.