'They brought comfort and resassurance during frightening experience': Heart attack survivor meets Dudley ambulance crew who saved his life
A heart attack survivor has been reunited with the ambulance crew who saved his life, just weeks after their intervention helped him get the urgent care he needed.
Farshid Shafie was at home in Stourbridge when he developed a sudden onset chest pain which radiated down his left arm so, recognising the signs of a heart attack, his son called 999 to arrange emergency help for his father.
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is suddenly blocked and if not treated quickly, can cause serious damage or even death.
When the call came in, paramedic Grace Field and technician Bethany Merrick from West Midlands Ambulance Service Dudley Hub put their skills into action, quickly assessing Mr Shafie and identifying the signs of a heart attack, then began life-saving treatment while rushing him to Russell’s Hall Hospital.
Just over a month later, the 68-year-old was reunited with the life-saving crew at Dudley Hub on Wednesday, June 18, with the emotional reunion being a chance to express his gratitude to the team who helped him.
He said: “Thanks to their skill, professionalism, and compassion, I’m here today and recovering well. I cannot fully express how grateful I am for everything they did for me.
“They not only saved my life, but they also brought comfort and reassurance during one of the most frightening experiences I’ve ever faced.”
Grace said: “It was lovely to see Farshid again under much better circumstances, and to see him doing so well in his recovery.
"He told us how he is back swimming and driving, contributing to him feeling back to his normal self.
“Having the opportunity to meet with Farshid and his wife was amazing and allowed us to step back from a clinical perspective to see the difference we had made in his life.”
Beth said: “To be able to do our job and provide the treatment and care that Farshid needed is exactly why I am training to become a paramedic.
“It's a pleasure to have played a part in helping Farshid get the medical attention he needed.
"Seeing him and his wife happy and well today is incredible, and I truly wish him the best in his continued recovery.”
