Roads policing officers save man from a heart attack

A 55-year-old man from Caerphilly suffering a heart attack in Nantgarw was saved by the quick-thinking actions of South Wales Police officers.

Road policing officer PC Saunders was refuelling his car when he was approached by a woman who believed that her husband was having a heart attack.

PC Saunders quickly identified that he was showing the characteristics of a heart attack. He was joined by Road policing officers PC Thomas, PC Bailey and PS Hobrough, who were equipped with a defibrillator.

PS Hobrough made the decision to take the man to hospital in the police car as his condition was quickly deteriorating. Whilst they were preparing for this the man stopped breathing.

The defib was immediately used and PC Bailey and PC Thomas began CPR, and thankfully he regained consciousness and started breathing again.

Welsh Ambulance arrived and confirmed that the man was suffering from a heart attack.

He was taken to University Hospital of Wales to undergo immediate heart surgery.

Chief Inspector Gareth Morgan said:

“The early intervention and quick thinking of these officers have ultimately saved this gentleman’s life.
“I feel very proud that we have officers like PS Hobrough, PC Saunders, PC Bailey and PC Thomas among our ranks.
“Without their actions, professionalism and bravery, the outcome for this man and his family could have been very different.
“I wish the man a speedy recovery and best wishes.”

Lee Brooks, Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service said:

“When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts.
“Early, effective CPR and a controlled electric shock from a defibrillator can significantly increase the chances of a person’s survival, and we urge everyone to learn this life-saving skill.
“This could have been a very different story without the quick-thinking actions of PS Hobrough, PC Saunders, PC Bailey and PC Thomas – they are a credit to the service.”