Staffordshire runners save man’s life after sudden medical emergency during morning session
A man is alive today thanks to the quick actions of fellow runners during an early-morning club session in Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley.
Members of the Cheslyn Hay & Great Wyrley Running Club were gathering for their regular 5.30am run on a cold Monday morning, November 24, outside The New Talbot when the routine meet-up suddenly turned into a life-or-death emergency.
The man had arrived at the meeting point and exchanged a few words with another runner when he suddenly collapsed.
According to witnesses, he suffered a deep cut to his head as he fell and initially appeared to be losing significant blood. However, it quickly became clear that the situation was far more serious — he had stopped breathing and his heart had stopped beating.
Club members immediately sprang into action. Runners Kelly Taylor and Fleur Bowd, both trained in CPR, began performing life-saving chest compressions while others rushed to help. Fellow runners Amanda Evans and Kim Louise ran to nearby Salem Church to collect a public access defibrillator, knowing exactly where it was located and how to access it.
Meanwhile Amy Power contacted emergency services while the group continued working together to keep the man alive.
Paramedics arrived minutes later and took over treatment before rushing him to hospital in a critical condition.
Medical staff later confirmed that the quick response of the runners during the crucial “golden window” before the ambulance arrived played a vital role in saving his life.
The man spent several weeks in intensive care and on a cardiac ward after suffering a major heart attack. His recovery was long and challenging, followed by rehabilitation to regain his strength and learn to walk again.
Nearly two months on from the incident, he has now returned home and is continuing his recovery.
Speaking after the ordeal, he said he firmly believes he would not be alive today if it had not been for the people around him that morning.
The incident has highlighted the importance of CPR training and public access defibrillators in the community. Organisations such as the British Heart Foundation and St John Ambulance offer training to help people learn the potentially life-saving skills.
