Claire Brown – 1st April 2026 – 12.30pm.
A cardiac arrest survivor has been reunited with the emergency ambulance crew who helped save his life.
The reunion, which took place at Stoke ambulance hub on Sunday 29th March, was a powerful reminder of the importance of early CPR and public access defibrillators.
Neal MacGillivray, from Alsager, suffered a cardiac arrest at work in Newcastle-under-Lyme in June 2025. During the emotional reunion at the weekend, Neal and his partner Dawn Massey personally thanked some of the team involved in his care. Paramedics Tom Breeze and Sarah Tams together with Technician Jess Bradley welcomed Neal and Dawn to Stoke for a catch-up over a brew and biscuits, celebrating his remarkable recovery.
Neal’s survival is a testament to the critical role played by his work colleagues that day who quickly recognised the emergency, began CPR and used a nearby automated external defibrillator (AED) until ambulance crews arrived. Their swift actions, combined with a rapid emergency response by WMAS and Midlands Air Ambulance, ensured Neal received life-saving treatment at the earliest possible moment.
Neal, who celebrates his 60th birthday soon, said: “Dawn and I are eternally grateful to my colleagues Martin and Dave for their initial CPR and to the team at WMAS for saving my life. I’ve been told that my work colleagues all formed a human chain from where I was in the warehouse to the road outside so that the ambulance crews could be quickly guided to me to save critical time. It was truly amazing to meet up with Tom, Sarah and Jess and to say thank you to them in person.”
Dawn added: “Whilst I was anxiously waiting in A&E to see Neal in resus after his arrest, Paramedic Tom came into see me which was such a lovely gesture. The WMAS team who saved Neal’s life are such kind and caring people who we will never forget. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Reflecting on the reunion, Stoke Paramedic Thomas Breeze, said: “It was a real privilege and a profound experience to meet Neal looking so well today. This is clear evidence of how effective the chain of survival can be when every link works as it should.
“Without the skill and knowledge of his colleagues who started CPR, the quick thinking to locate and use a defibrillator, and the prompt 999 call that allowed us to attend quickly to begin advanced care, the outcome could have been very different. We are so pleased for Neal and his family that everything went right on the day.”
During the visit, special recognition was also given to the Midlands Air Ambulance team who were dispatched from Cosford on the day and were on scene less than 10 minutes after Jess, Sarah, Tom and his Paramedic crewmate Ricky Price arrived at Neil’s side. Their delivery of critical care, including a pre-hospital emergency anaesthetic, played a significant role in Neal’s recovery.
This story is a poignant example of the life-saving impact early intervention in cardiac arrest cases. Immediate CPR and access to a defibrillator can dramatically increase a person’s chance of survival, reinforcing the importance of public awareness and training.
To find out more about how you can learn life-saving skills visit Learn lifesaving skills with WMAS.
ENDS
Pictured (left to right): Paramedic Tom, Dawn and Neal, Technician Jess and Paramedic Sarah.