Woman reunited with rescuers after cardiac arrest

A woman who nearly lost her life after collapsing at her allotment has been reunited with the bystanders and ambulance crew who helped to save her.

Anne Sutton, 61, was tending to her plot in East Leake, Nottinghamshire, on 26 January when she went into cardiac arrest.

The retired police officer was aided by neighbours - which included a nurse - who performed CPR until East Midlands Ambulance Service arrived and took her to hospital.

A defibrillator has now been put in place at a public point in the allotment site.

"Just saying thank you doesn't seem enough," Anne said. "I survived because of what everyone did for me that day."

Anne was with her husband Peter Sutton at the allotment when she went "lightheaded" and collapsed.

She said: "It's hard to know when my next memory was, but I remember coming round in the back of the ambulance, hearing the sirens and seeing the blue lights.

"I felt calm and safe – like I was on my way to safety."

Before her cardiac arrest, Anne was extremely active.

"I went for a run that morning, I went to the gym twice a week, I played netball, and I've done triathlons," she said.

"Every single person has said they would never have expected this to happen to me.

"I've learned it's not always about lifestyle.

"My life is different now, but I'm a very positive person and I'm focusing on the best way forward."

"There's a lot of confusion in that moment," said her husband.

"You're trying to understand what's happening to the person you love while everything is unfolding around you.

"Then suddenly there were police, paramedics and other responders arriving, all working together in very difficult conditions."

James and Adele Lapworth, who were nearby on their own plot, came to Anne's aid after the alarm was raised.

Adele - a retired nurse - and James immediately began CPR after realising Anne was in cardiac arrest.

James said: "When we got there, she was blue and not breathing normally. We couldn't find a pulse, so Adele started CPR straight away.

"All that was keeping her alive was the chest compressions. We swapped over to keep it effective.

"In the moment, you just get on with it – but afterwards it really hits you."

Kim Reed, who answered the 999 call, praised the response of those at the scene before the ambulance arrived.

She said: "Those who were with her did a fantastic job, from giving an accurate description of where they were, to listening so well to the instructions I relayed over the phone.

"Bystander CPR really was vital in giving Anne the best possible chance before emergency help arrived."

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