UK ambulance worker suffers heart attack; Here's what wheelchair-bound patient did next

An ambulance worker in the United Kingdom experienced a cardiac arrest while on duty but was saved by the quick actions of his patient and a nurse. Shaun McBride, who was about to transport 72-year-old Tommy Stewart from Glen O'Dee Hospital in Banchory to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, suddenly collapsed during his duties, a BBC report revealed.

Despite facing the challenge of being an amputee in a wheelchair, Mr. Stewart managed to raise the alarm for help. At the same time, nurse Freya Smith-Nicol sprang into action, immediately administering CPR until another ambulance arrived to provide further assistance.

This life-saving incident occurred two months ago in July, but it has now come to light as those involved in this dramatic rescue have come together to share their experiences.


Recalling the harrowing incident, Mr. McBride, aged 56, described how he had just secured Mr. Stewart into his vehicle when he suddenly collapsed. Mr. Stewart recounted, "I heard a thump and I just saw the top of Shaun's head. I said, 'He's collapsed,' but there was no way I could reach the horn because I was strapped in. So the next thing was to roar."

Fortunately, Mr. Stewart's cries for help were heard by a hospital caretaker who rushed to the scene to see what was unfolding. Nurse Freya Smith-Nicol was swiftly alerted and immediately recognized the gravity of the situation. She described the atmosphere as charged with panic and urgency.

"I knew immediately something was wrong," said the 28-year-old nurse, adding, "I thought it was going to be one of our patients because you put two and two together, and obviously didn't expect to see Shaun there."

The situation was indeed dire, with Mr. McBride unconscious on the ramp of the ambulance, as Ms. Freya recalled. She took decisive action, performing CPR on Mr. McBride for a gruelling 25 minutes. She utilised a defibrillator seven times during her heroic efforts to revive him.

Fortunately, the ambulance crew arrived just as they managed to stabilise Mr. McBride, and their arrival was well-timed, considering the critical circumstances.

Following the incident, Mr. McBride was placed in an induced coma and received intensive care. Fortunately, he pulled through and has since been fitted with a defibrillator. While he has no memory of the events that transpired, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to both Mr. Stewart and Nurse Freya for giving him "another chance in life."

Mr. McBride now looks forward to returning to work next month, acknowledging that the incident has given him not only a second chance at life but also two new friends for life.

Inputs from BBC