Off-duty paramedic saves choking man at Stafford station
The quick actions of an off-duty paramedic helped save the life of a train passenger who was choking.
An emergency call was put out on the PA system of the Virgin Trains Liverpool to London service as it stopped at Stafford Station at about 1.45pm on Monday.
A man in his 50s had stopped breathing after eating a sandwich, and North West Ambulance Service paramedic Paul Jones jumped out of his own carriage and ran along the platform to where another passenger was trying CPR on the man.
After quickly assessing the choking man's condition, he used abdominal thrusts, back slaps, finger sweeps and manipulated the man's throat until a large chunk of food came out.
At this point a West Midlands ambulance crew and rapid response vehicle arrived, three minutes after the 999 call.
The three West Midlands staff worked with Mr Jones to continue treating the man, clearing his throat completely and giving him oxygen. He was then taken to County Hospital by ambulance.
Mr Jones said: "It wasn't an easy job working in the confines of the carriage, but working with the West Midlands staff, we were able to free all of the obstruction and the man had regained consciousness and was definitely looking better as he left on the ambulance.
"This was a job well done by everyone who helped."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman added: "There is no doubt that the early intervention of Mr Jones and the other people in the carriage has given this man the best possible chance of survival.
"Whilst it is early days, he was well enough to give ambulance staff a hug and thank them for their help before the crew left the hospital."
