The quick response of rangers and that of a regular visitor to Tatton Park, plus the use of an emergency defibrillator lead to the life of cyclist Rob Harwood being saved just days before Christmas.
Duty rangers Mark Sills and Adrian Bell were called to an incident at the main gates to Tatton Park at about 11am on December 14th. Rob, 51, from Great Warford had collapsed as he entered the park and was suffering a cardiac arrest.
Local cyclist Robbie Wolfson was already administering chest compressions when they arrived. Mark and Adrian immediately started to treat Rob with a defibrillator to restart his heart, enabling him to breathe again before paramedics from North West ambulance arrived to take over.
Robbie, a dentist from Knutsford who is fully trained in emergency procedures, had recently attended a Heartstart session run by Knutsford Community First Responders Trust - which aims to teach emergency life support skills, free of charge, to as many members of the public who would like basic life saving skills.
In addition to the defibrillation carried out by the rangers, data collected during Rob's treatment that morning assisted in determining the possible cause of the arrest and his subsequent treatment at the University Hospital of South Manchester enabling Rob to return home to his family for Christmas Day.
Dr Ben Brown, Consultant Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist at University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM) said; "This is a real success story. If it were not for the swift action of Mark, Adrian and Robbie it could have been very different. The quick thinking they showed not only saved Rob's life but has resulted in him making a full recovery and walking home from hospital.
"This highlights the importance of having both equipment and trained personnel in the community. Congratulations to them both and best wishes to Rob from all at UHSM."
Rob is an active cyclist who often visits Tatton Park on his bike from his home in Great Warford. He is now recovering at home having spent Christmas with his wife and three teenage children. He is planning a cycle ride with Robbie as soon as possible.
Photo: (l-r) Adrian Bell, Robbie Wolfson, Rob Harwood and Mark Sills.
