Just 10 weeks on from suffering a heart attack, Deal football supporter got to meet his lifesavers at a recent reunion at Thanet Make Ready Centre.

Ian, a 73-year-old grandfather of eight who suffered a heart attack while at home feels ‘lucky to be alive’ and was pleased to have the opportunity to thank the team involved in saving him.

It was back in August when Ian was getting ready to head to Norfolk on holiday with his family when he started to feel lightheaded.

Ian, who is a keen cyclist, lost consciousness and collapsed on the kitchen floor. His wife quickly dialled 999 and spoke to Senior Emergency Medical Advisor, Holly Doye who guided her through what to do and stayed with her on the phone until crews arrived at their home.

Paramedic, Shannon Reed and Emergency Care Support Worker, Thomas Birrell arrived on scene shortly after and identified that Ian was having a heart attack.

Shannon and Tom rushed Ian to the William Harvey Hospital’s primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) centre where he was fitted with four stents to hold the narrowed arteries open. Later that day, Shannon and Tom went back to visit Ian at the PPCI centre, where he was conscious and asking about the Deal town football score!

As part of Ian’s recovery, he is attending cardiac rehabilitation and has since got back to cycling!

Ian said: “I was standing in my kitchen washing up before leaving for Norfolk and I suddenly started to feel lightheaded, which was so sudden and unexpected.”

Tom said: “We knew he was doing ok when he asked what the Deal Town football score was! He really got us laughing and was so happy to see him awake.”

Meeting Shannon, Tom and Holly, Ian said: “I really felt like I owed it to them to come in and thank them all for helping me that day. I really can’t thank them all enough.”

Tom added: “It was surreal to see him conscious, awake and talking when we went back later that day to visit him at the PPCI centre, and even more surreal to reunite with him and hear how well he is doing now.”

Shannon said: “This job really stuck with me and I’m so glad that we went back to see Ian in the PPCI centre on the day, as well as getting to meet him again in better circumstances at the station. He is a lovely man and I’m so glad that Tom and I were able to help him that day.”

Holly added: “As an EMA, it’s rare we get to hear the outcome of a call, and so it was a pleasure to be able to meet Ian in person and hear more about his recovery. I wish him the best of luck for the future.”