A WOMAN has been reunited with one of the doctors who helped saved her life after she suffered a cardiac arrest while at Carlisle Train Station.
Kathy Scott, 60, from Carlisle, was setting up a market stall at her local train station when she suddenly collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on 12 February this year.
Two off-duty doctors at the station, including Angus Mitchell, who works shifts at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), were alerted to the incident, and went over to help.
Angus said: “I was waiting in the station to catch a train with my family, when we became aware of a commotion further down the platform. Kathy’s friend ran from where she had collapsed and shouted for help. It was apparent that Kathy was in cardiac arrest.
“Kathy received immediate good quality CPR between the doctors and the Avanti first-responder on the platform, and it was highly fortunate that there was a defibrillator available in the station. We delivered two shocks which restarted Kathy’s heart and thankfully she started to show signs of recovery.
“I think Kathy’s story clearly demonstrates that having a public access defibrillator (PAD) available in an emergency can be lifesaving, especially in areas where ambulance response times may be longer. It is important to emphasise that CPR is a skill that can be learnt by anyone, and that defibrillators are relatively easy to use, with clear instructions that can be followed by members of the public.”
While Kathy was being taken to hospital by ambulance, Angus, who was going on holiday with his family, had missed his train, but the staff at the station helped them get on the next one.
Angus said: “I’m grateful to the staff at Carlisle Train Station who were helpful and professional in this emergency situation, and for their ability to sort out onward travel arrangements for my family and the other attending doctor on the platform”.
Kathy was transferred to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington to get an internal defibrillator fitted and spent a total of eight days in hospital.
She said: “It was a shock because I’ve never been ill or felt ill. I was sore from the broken ribs, but I’d rather have broken ribs and be here than not be here.”
Following the incident, Kathy’s son Chris Scott, 34, held a car wash fundraiser at Border City Autos, where he is the managing director, and they raised enough money to purchase a community defibrillator for Crown Street in Carlisle, where his business is located.
They also managed to raise an additional £2,239.41 which was presented to Angus at GNAAS’ base at Langwathby, near Penrith.
Mr Scott said: “I am very proud of the team at Border City Autos who donated their time for the event, but also their wages for the day. A huge thank you to them, the local businesses who supported us, and everyone who brought their cars in for a wash. We even had people come as far as Edinburgh to donate. It was important to get a defibrillator in our local area, as you never know if yourself or a friend or family’s life might depend on it.
“We also decided to donate the rest of the funds to GNAAS because of Angus’ link to the charity and the fact that the service needs donations to keep running.”
Kathy said: “It was overwhelming meeting Angus. I knew it was going to be emotional but I didn’t realise how it was going to affect me. I have been very lucky that due to the professionalism of the medics involved that valuable seconds were saved and I have not received any lasting damage.”
Angus added: “It was a pleasure to meet Kathy and her family, including her grandchildren. You could see how much it means to them that the family are all still together, and that they really value and cherish the time they have with each other. I was glad to have been able to help Kathy and it is great to see how well she has recovered. The team at GNAAS are very grateful for their generous donation to the charity.”
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