A COLCHESTER mum says she is “forever grateful” for the two fire workers who saved her life after she had a heart attack in the city centre.
Jade Giblin, 34, from Colchester, had a cardiac arrest while walking in the Lion Walk in April, and her 999 call was prioritised as a category 1 call.
Lion Walk facilities worker Stuart Moore performed CPR in the first six-minutes until two community wellbeing officers Keaton Eccles, 31, and Oliver Ingrouille, 21 got to the scene.
The pair took over the lifesaving efforts and were soon backed up by the East of England Ambulance Service, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle, and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.
Mr Eccles and Mr Ingrouille, who are Essex Fire Service, community wellbeing officers were dispatched as the closest resource, under a pilot scheme where these officers respond to category 1 calls and falls in homes and call also carry out safety property checks.
Speaking for the first time Jade said: “My son wouldn't have his mum anymore and my family would have very different lives right now.
“I am alive and healthy because of Keaton and Ollie’s fast actions and now have a diagnosis of CPVT - Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia."
Jade, who has since made a good recovery, added: “This means for the rest of my life I am safer.
"It is a condition that unfortunately takes more young people's lives than it should -statistically I shouldn't be here. My family and myself will be forever grateful for Keaton and Ollie.”
Jade also met the two men who saved her life at event at the Lion Walk Shopping Centre inspired by the response to her cardiac arrest.
This event – run by the East of England Ambulance Service, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police, and Lion Walk Shopping Centre – led to more than more than 200 members of the public learning how to perform lifesaving skills.
In a joint statement, Keaton Eccles and Oliver Ingrouille said: "It’s a very surreal feeling meeting Jade again. Talking her through the events of that day and reliving them.
"Jade’s survival is a powerful reminder of the importance of learning lifesaving skills. We are both so grateful to have been a part of her journey and wish her and her family the very best".
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