Thanks to the efforts of SECAmb colleagues, an Essex father now has the chance to see his 22-month-old son grow up.

Rob Greenaway, aged 56 from Grays in Essex was thrilled to be able to thank his lifesavers in person when he met them at Dartford ambulance station recently.

It was an opportunity to thank the team and gain closure on the incident which happened three years ago in May 2021 and for the team to meet his partner, Cassie and young son, Logan.

Rob was getting ready to finish work and was driving back to his depot in Swanley, Kent, when he began to experience sharp chest pains.

Rob pulled over and asked his colleague Jamie to drive back to the depot. As soon as they arrived, their Shift Manager called 999 and crews then began to arrive at the depot shortly after.

Paramedic, Elliott Perez Nino, Trainee Associate Ambulance Practitioner, Graham Seal, Operational Team Leader, Samantha Plumb, Critical Care Paramedic, Lawrence Hayes and Paramedic, Catherine Gare arrived on scene and confirmed that Rob was having a heart attack.

As Rob was getting into the ambulance, he collapsed into cardiac arrest. Crews began CPR and shocked Rob once with a defibrillator before achieving a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

The crew were joined on scene by HEMS colleagues from The Air Ambulance Charity, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, who helped to stabilise Rob before he was taken to King’s College Hospital.

While in hospital, Rob was then fitted with a stent which opens the artery to help keep the artery from narrowing or closing again. Luckily, after three nights of round the clock treatment, Rob was then discharged from Kings’ on the following Wednesday.

Rob has also taken part in the cardiac arrest support groups which are hosted by the Patient and Family Aftercare team at the Air Ambulance Charity Kent, Surrey, Sussex. These sessions are a great opportunity for survivors to connect with each other and share more on their recovery journeys.

Rob said: “It was really important for me to visit the team and for them to meet Logan. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today and have my little boy. I truly cannot thank them enough for everything they did for me.”

Rob said: “I was driving back to the depot with my colleague in the passenger seat. A chest pain like no other began to come on and I knew something wasn’t right. I had experienced something similar in the previous days which ended up going after some time, but this felt different.”

Rob’s wife, Cassie said: “I had a knock at the door and to my complete surprise the Police were there. They sat me down and told me that Rob had a heart attack. I was in pure disbelief.”

Graham said: “It was heart-warming to see Rob, Cassie and little Logan. I couldn’t be happier for them and to meet lovely Logan.”

Elliot added: “This was the first time I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a patient and so it made this reunion even more special. I loved seeing Rob again in such good spirits and meeting Cassie and Logan. I wish them the best for the future.”