A father from County Durham has described how chest pain he initially dismissed as heartburn turned out to be a life-threatening heart attack that led to a cardiac arrest. Philip Raw was at home in Sedgefield with his 16-year-old son, Thomas, when the pain began on August 5 this year. Thomas called 999, and after an ambulance crew arrived, Philip collapsed and needed CPR to keep him alive.
Son's Quick Call for Help
Philip said he initially thought the pain was heartburn and took a tablet, but when it returned he asked Thomas to phone an ambulance. He recalled speaking to a health advisor and answering questions while the pain worsened. Thomas said instinct kicked in when his father became unwell, and he tried to stay calm and answer the health advisor's questions to get the right help as quickly as possible.
Health advisor Marina Block, who handled the 999 call, praised Thomas for staying on the line and listening carefully. She noted that chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack and urged people to call 999 if someone is seriously unwell.
Cardiac Arrest and CPR
Philip said he collapsed just after Thomas ran out to meet the ambulance crew. Paramedic Adam Hall, who attended with apprentice ambulance support practitioner Emily Thomas and student paramedic Eleanor Toogood, said Philip had suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest shortly after they arrived. The crew immediately started CPR and lifesaving treatment.
Ambulance support practitioner Elizabeth Jackson, who attended with paramedic Oliwia Malecka as part of the second crew, said it must have been a frightening experience for Thomas, who showed remarkable bravery and maturity. One crew member took Thomas into a back room so he did not have to watch the resuscitation.
Recovery and Reunion
Philip's care continued at James Cook University Hospital, and he has since made a good recovery, returning to everyday life and enjoying a family holiday. He has been reunited with the ambulance team who saved his life. Malecka said the team wanted to recognise Thomas's part in getting help and found it special to see Philip doing well, as they do not always see patients again after such incidents.
Philip thanked the crews for saving his life and said he tries not to think about how lucky he was. He added that without his son and the ambulance crews, he would not be here to tell his story. CPR can help maintain blood flow to vital organs following a cardiac arrest and takes just a few minutes to learn, with guidance available on the NEAS website.
