Cardiac arrest survivor reunited with ambulance crew who helped save her life
A 71-year-old woman from Dorset has been reunited with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) crew members who helped save her life following a cardiac arrest at her home last year.
On 11 November 2025, Susan Rousell, from Highcliffe, Christchurch, began experiencing concerning symptoms while at home. Realising something was seriously wrong, she called 999.
After ambulance crews arrived and began assessing Susan, asking about her symptoms and connecting her to monitoring equipment, she went into cardiac arrest in the living room of her home.
Clinicians immediately began delivering vital emergency treatment, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator. Once Susan's condition had been stabilised, she was conveyed under blue lights to Royal Bournemouth Hospital for further specialist care and remained there for five days.
During her treatment, Susan had a stent fitted on her first day in hospital, a second stent two days later, and a third stent at the end of February this year as part of her ongoing cardiac care.
Now recovering well, Susan and her family had the opportunity to reunite with the life-saving crew at Christchurch Ambulance Station on Saturday 16 May. They met Paramedics, Kevin Cooke and Jonathan Nicholson, alongside Emergency Ambulance Associates, Sharon Chaytor and Alexander Rose.
Susan said: "It was a joy to meet Kevin, Sharon, Alex and Jonathan again. Being able to come along with my family to say thank you for everything they did for me that day has been incredibly special.
"My recovery is going well, and I am getting back to normal. I would say never ignore any unexplained or new symptoms, as I have been told on numerous occasions by many health professionals that I am very lucky to be alive."
Susan's husband Jim, said: "The professional way the crew worked during such a frightening time, and their calmness throughout, was incredibly reassuring. I never doubted that Sue was in very safe hands. It was fantastic to meet them again and thank them in person."
Sharon Chaytor, Emergency Ambulance Associate at SWASFT, said: "Being reunited with Susan and her family was incredibly special. Seeing her smiling and recovering after such a frightening cardiac arrest reminds us exactly why we do this job. Being able to meet past patients again and see them thriving makes our roles as paramedics so meaningful. I wish Susan and her family all the best for the future."
Since leaving hospital, Susan has continued attending a cardiac rehabilitation programme and is looking forward to spending more quality time with her family.
To find out more about recognising the signs of a cardiac arrest and what to do visit: https://www.swast.nhs.uk/saving-lives-together