A father from Crowborough who was haemorrhaging blood from an abdominal aortic aneurysm has defied the odds and reunited with his lifesavers.
Antony Linward, 68, was at home with his wife in the early hours of 11 November 2024 when he started to vomit blood and lose consciousness.
Antony’s wife immediately called 999 and spoke to Emergency Medical Advisor, Beth Panton. While providing advice over the phone advice to Ayten, Resource Dispatcher, Cathleen Carter, was skillfully coordinating a team of six clinicians, as well as the Air Ambulance Charity, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Kent Fire and Rescue to attend the couple’s home.
On arrival, Antony was in a state of peri-arrest meaning he was unstable, weak, pale, vomiting large amounts of blood and was experiencing multiple organ failure.
Newly qualified paramedics, Robert Hammond and Georgia Anderson, Paramedics, Libby Pillet and Rosie Pimm, Community First Responder, Robert Cray, and Operating Unit Manager, Dave Hawkins worked together to stabilise Antony before he went on to spend a total of 52 days in hospital before being discharged to return to the family home.
Now, five months on, Antony was determined to meet his lifesavers in person and so paid a visit to SECAmb’s Paddock Wood Make Ready Centre to reunite with Beth, Cathleen, Robert, Georgia, Libby, Rosie and Dave where they heard more about his recovery.
Antony is now spending time at home recovering and getting used to his new normal.
Antony said “I truly cannot thank them enough for helping me when disaster struck on 11 November. They really are my lifesavers, and I don’t think I would be here today without them.”
Libby said: “It was a pleasure to reunite with Antony after such a traumatic time and to see him doing so well.”
Cathleen added: “I remember it like it was yesterday and I’m so glad I have been able to meet Antony to see the impact that my role has on our patients.”