A man who suffered a cardiac arrest just minutes after being helped at Liverpool Lime Street Station is trying to track down the stranger he believes saved his life. Neil Broderick, from Widnes, said he owes his life to a British Transport Police officer who spotted something was seriously wrong, despite Neil insisting he was "alright."
The Incident at Lime Street Station
The incident happened while Neil, 60, was heading home after attending union training in Liverpool city centre. After beginning to feel unwell, Neil walked to Liverpool Lime Street Station. While waiting for his train, he leaned against a wall, unaware he was about to suffer a major medical emergency.
Neil told the ECHO: "I just didn't feel right. I honestly just felt like I just needed to burp. Then it started to intensify, so I thought I'd start making my way home. I was leaning on a wall and a British Transport Police officer came over and asked if I was alright. I asked him to check what time the train was coming for me."
"When he came back, he told me to sit down. I said I was alright, and he told me he'd phoned an ambulance. I was confused; I didn't know why he'd done it. I can only think that he thought I looked grey."
Medical Emergency and Cardiac Arrest
An ambulance arrived within minutes. Paramedics initially planned to take Neil to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. However, after reassessing him just moments later, they realised he was having a heart attack. Within five minutes of getting into the ambulance, Neil went into cardiac arrest.
Neil said: "They said there was a change of plan and I was being blue-lighted to Broadgreen Hospital. I don't remember having the heart attack. I must have been in and out of consciousness. I can remember being in the ambulance and looking down on myself. It was this feeling of, 'I'm in a safe place, and I'll accept whatever happens now.' At least I wasn't lying on the floor somewhere. I was in the best hands."
"I didn't even have any pain. I definitely had no chest pain. I just didn't feel right. If it wasn't for the police officer, I would have had that heart attack on the train, and I probably would have died."
Recovery and Search for the Officer
Neil underwent two emergency procedures and has since made a full recovery. Following the incident, Neil contacted British Transport Police in the hope of identifying the officer who had called for the ambulance. After eventually tracking down what he believes was the officer's social media account, Neil received a brief reply saying he was pleased to hear he had recovered but was unable to discuss work-related matters through his personal account. Now, Neil hopes he can thank him properly in person.
"If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be here now. I'm on a lot of medication now but I'm still working, I've still got my job. I've had to make a few lifestyle changes. I didn't smoke before anyway, but I don't drink half as much now."
More than anything, Neil hopes to personally thank the officer whose instincts he believes saved his life. "I'd just like to thank him properly. He might not want that, for all I know. But if he wants to meet up, I'd love to buy him a meal or a drink or something. People should be rewarded for stuff like that."
