Man reunites with paramedics who saved his life

A man has been reunited with the ambulance crew who helped save his life after he went into cardiac arrest.

Neal MacGillivray, 59, from Alsager, Cheshire, was at work in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, in June 2025 when his heart stopped.

His colleagues were praised for carrying out CPR before paramedics arrived, and also for forming a human chain to guide the ambulance crew to the warehouse where he was.

MacGillivray, who visited Stoke ambulance hub on Saturday to thank the team involved in his care, said it was "truly amazing" to see them again.

Along with his partner Dawn Massey, MacGillivray met paramedics Tom Breeze and Sarah Tams, as well as technician Jess Bradley.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) credited the swift actions of MacGillivray's colleagues, along with the emergency response of their own crew and that of Midlands Air Ambulance, for ensuring he received life-saving treatment at the earliest possible moment.

"Dawn and I are eternally grateful to my colleagues Martin and Dave for their initial CPR and to the team at WMAS for saving my life," MacGillivray said.

Massey added: "The WMAS team who saved Neal's life are such kind and caring people who we will never forget. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Speaking about the reunion, paramedic Breeze said it was a "real privilege" to meet the couple again.

"Without the skill and knowledge of his colleagues who started CPR, the quick thinking to locate and use a defibrillator, and the prompt 999 call that allowed us to attend quickly to begin advanced care, the outcome could have been very different," he said.

During the visit, special recognition was also given to the air ambulance team who played a significant role in the 59-year-old's recovery.

The ambulance service said the incident was "a poignant example" of the impact of early intervention

Immediate CPR and access to a defibrillator can dramatically increase a person's chance of survival, they said.

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