A father from Swanley who’s heart is now only working at 15 per cent capacity following a heart attack has thanked the teamwork of the ambulance service as to why he is alive.
54-year-old Steve Lane was reunited with emergency medical advisor, Cameron H-Smith and crewmates Lucy Rust and Sarah Blackwell after he experienced a severe heart attack in March 2025.
Steve had been to the local shop nearby his home when he suddenly experienced excruciating pain in his chest and became clammy. He managed to get himself back home to his wife Jackie before vomiting and collapsing on the floor.
Jackie immediately called 999 and spoke to Cameron who triaged the call, getting an in-depth understanding of Steve’s symptoms, before colleagues in the Dispatch function allocated crewmates Lucy and Sarah to their home.
The duo arrived on scene and stabilised Steve before transporting him to the PPCI centre at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford where he spent six days recovering following having coronary stents fitted. A stent is a tiny, expandable metal mesh coil put into the newly opened area of the artery to help keep the artery from narrowing or closing again with the aim of lowering or avoiding the chances of a heart attack in the future.
To thank the team, Steve and Jackie visited SECAmb’s Dartford Ambulance Station to meet Cameron, Lucy and Sarah just eight weeks after the heart attack to thank them for everything they did to save his life.
With his heart working at 15 per cent, Steve is now taking things slowly and recovering at home.
Lucy said “We could tell how serious of a heart attack Steve was experiencing before even doing his observations. Our one and only goal was to stabilise him and get him to hospital as quick as possible.”
Steve said “I am truly only here today because of the teamwork of everyone who helped me that day. I cannot thank them enough for everything.”
Cameron added “It was a pleasure to be able to meet Steve and Jackie and hear more about his recovery since the heart attack only eight weeks on.”