Gurnell Staff and Ambulance Crew Save Man's Life

Iain Wyllie returns to thank them after suffering heart attack at the leisure centre

Better staff Thomas Arnold, Mark Cameron and Adolpho Ventero de la Pena, together with London Ambulance Service Paramedic Heather Cole and Clinical Team Leader Tim Wilkinson reunited with Mr Iain Wyllie

A man whose life was saved by staff and ambulance crews at Gurnell Leisure centre has returned to thank them.

57 year old Iain Wyllie collapsed in the changing rooms and suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday 14 April. An ambulance was called and staff members, Thomas Arnold, Mark Cameron and Adolpho Ventero de la Pena staff rushed to Mr Wyllie's assistance.

They performed CPR and used an accredited defibrillator to deliver a shock to Mr Wyllie before he suffering another cardiac arrest moments later.

The Paramedics and Trainee Emergency Ambulance Crew arrived on scene and made extensive efforts to save Mr Wyllie.

Mr Wylie, now recovered, recently returned to Gurnell to thank all those involved in saving his life. He said:

''Without the quick reaction by the staff at Gurnell I would not be able to write this. My heart stopped seven times during my ordeal from gym to hospital. I can only thank one and all who helped me that Thursday.''

Thomas Arnold, Better’s Duty Manager at Gurnell Leisure Centre, said, “It was great that we were able to use our training to get Iain conscious and talking before the paramedics arrived. He even got to speak to his wife instead of the hospital having to do so.''

Mark Cameron, Better’s Senior Recreation Assistant at Gurnell Leisure Centre, said, “Training in the use of a defibrillator is an opportunity everyone should have and vital in our job role, shown by us being able to bring Iain back to life.”

Gavin Byrne, Better’s General Manager at Gurnell Leisure Centre, said, “Its great to know that the training we provide our staff is taken on board. This episode shows how important having a defibrillator in public places can be. The staff reacted and followed our emergency procedures superbly and this is a credit to the training Better provide.”

London Ambulance Service Paramedic Heather Cole said, ““We’re delighted to see Mr Wyllie fit and well today. There is no question that the staff at Gurnell Leisure Centre helped to save his life, thanks to their knowledge of CPR and their quick use of their defibrillator.”

Malcolm Ritchie, London Ambulance Service First Responder Manager, said:

''Around 32 per cent of people survive a cardiac arrest in a public place but, where there is a defibrillator and someone trained to use it, the chance of survival can increase to 80 per cent.

''Better Leisure Centres has a defibrillator in all of its 200 gyms, including Gurnell Leisure Centre, with trained staff in all centres on hand to use them.

''Stories like these are why we believe every shop, gym, hotel and office in London should have a defibrillator, so they’re ready to save a London life.”

The Better staff at Gurnell will now work closely with Mr Wyllie to help him get back to full fitness.

31st May 2016