Organist Matthew Schellhorn, 49, saved the life of church warden Laurence Mead, 83, after he went into cardiac arrest in the tearoom of the Cathedral Church of St Augustine of Canterbury in Painters Forstal, Kent. Laurence's family have dubbed him the 'miracle man' after he survived, despite fewer than one in 10 people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Matthew, a concert pianist, performed chest compressions on Laurence, who had stopped breathing, and used a defibrillator that had been hanging on the wall outside the church. He said: "It was a Sunday just like any other - until it wasn't. Laurence collapsed out of the blue and people began to panic. He was unconscious on the floor. At first, everyone froze, but then I realised I was the person who actually knew what to do. I had done CPR training with St John Ambulance some time ago, but never actually thought it would come in handy."
CPR and defibrillator save life
Matthew said: "I got down on the floor and began performing CPR. Someone had brought in the defibrillator, which had been hanging on the wall outside, so I attached the pads and followed the instructions." His efforts kept Laurence alive until paramedics arrived and took him to hospital for emergency surgery. After a 48-hour wait, his family was told he would survive. The following Saturday, Laurence was sitting up in his hospital bed, thanking Matthew in person.
Matthew said: "It was very emotional. He thanked me, although I didn't need thanking. To know that I'd saved his life was enough … and an incredible moment." Laurence, a retired jeweller, was fit and healthy before his cardiac arrest, although he had a pacemaker for an irregular heartbeat. He has thrown his support behind The Mirror's campaign to legally mandate and expand access to defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and vehicles across the UK.
Family's gratitude
Laurence said: "I don't remember a thing. I woke up in hospital, having been in a coma for a few days, to be told I'd collapsed at church - what a to-do! The cardiac arrest came out of the blue. My granddaughter Rosie, who is 27, saw me on the floor and was scared. To wake up again in hospital and be able to give her a cuddle was everything to me. She calls me 'miracle man'. If it wasn't for Matthew and there being a defib nearby, it would have been curtains. I feel very very lucky."
Laurence, who has two grandchildren, also thanked his community for raising money for the defibrillator, adding: "I was the first person to benefit from it." His wife, Margaret, 80, a retired hospital hairdresser, said: "When Laurence was lying on the ground, I thought the worst. Matthew sprang into action - a real life super hero. It doesn't bear thinking about what might have happened if he or the defib weren't there."
60th wedding anniversary
After spending two weeks in hospital, Laurence returned home just in time for the couple's 60th wedding anniversary. Margaret said: "We got to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary because of Matthew and we received a letter from the King and Queen, which was such a thrill. I feel so blessed to have been given more time with Laurence. It's a real life miracle."
Their daughter, Diane Smith, said: "Although I've been trained in CPR, my mind literally went blank, so I'm truly thankful to Matthew. The day dad was brought out of a coma I played the song that he and mum danced to at their wedding – I Love You Because, by Jim Reeves. Mum said 'do you remember this song?' and he replied 'yes' and reached for her hand."
Matthew and Laurence's family backed St John Ambulance's Save a Life September campaign, which teaches first aid techniques for cardiac arrest, choking and severe bleeding. Laurence's son, Damien Mead, a diocesan bishop, was with his father when he collapsed. He said: "Matthew was absolutely amazing and words simply cannot express how extremely grateful my family and I are to him. The paramedics, ambulance crews, police and even the air ambulance responded in record time. But it was unanimously agreed by all those who responded – and by the subsequent medical professionals – that it was Matthew's quick response in starting CPR and using the defibrillator which saved my father's life."
Matthew said: "Laurence came back to church this week and looked full of life. Something people don't realise is that AED's tell you what to do as you use them, which takes any fear or guesswork away." Laurence said: "I've been given a second chance. There's no two ways about it, I owe Matthew - and the defibrillator we used to walk past without a second glance - my life."
