Weston women reunited with ambulance crew member who helped save her life
A Weston woman was reunited with a South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) paramedic who helped saved her life, following a cardiac arrest.
Kerstin Cradock, 76, from Weston-Super-Mare, suffered a cardiac arrest at her home on the morning of Monday 13 January 2025. Feeling unwell, she asked her husband to call for an ambulance. Shortly after the call was made paramedics arrived on scene. While Kerstin was having her ECG taken, she went into sudden cardiac arrest. The ambulance crew worked tirelessly to resuscitate her and once in a stable condition, was conveyed to Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Kerstin had three stents fitted and spent a short time in hospital to recover. After a brief setback in February, Kerstin was able to begin cardiac rehabilitation in late April. She completed a six-week program and is now continuing with a 12-week course at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, receiving support from a nutrition specialist to improve her diet and sleep.
Now recovering well, Kerstin and her family had the opportunity to meet Thomas Mobbs, one of the paramedics who attended to her. The reunion took place on Monday 04 August at Churchill Ambulance Station, where Kerstin had the chance to thank Thomas in person for his life-saving care.
Kerstin said: It was such a joy getting to meet Thomas in person, he and the crew did everything they could for me, and I am so grateful. If it wasn't for Thomas and the other paramedics, I wouldn't be here today.
Thomas Mobbs, Paramedic at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said: "It was really special to meet Kerstin and her family, and I'm extremely pleased to see that she has recovered so well. It's an amazing feeling to have such a positive impact on someone's life".
The reunion between Kerstin and Thomas is a testament to the dedication and skill of emergency responders and the importance of swift medical intervention in cardiac emergencies.
Now on the road to recovery, Kerstin enjoys spending time outdoors in her garden and with her family and their dogs. Recently, they took a trip to visit several National Trust gardens, and embracing the joys of life.
More than 75% of cardiac arrests occur in the home, and without early intervention, the chances of survival decrease rapidly - with every passing minute without CPR reducing the likelihood of survival by 10%. This means individuals are more likely to perform CPR on a family member or friend than on a stranger. Learning CPR takes just a few minutes and could one day help save someone close to you.
To find out how to learn CPR and locate your nearest defibrillator, visit the SWASFT website.