Littlehampton family hail life-saving paramedics

Garry Seex, of Rosemead, Littlehampton has relived the moment he almost died as part of an event to mark the heroism and professionalism of the medical professionals who helped save his life.

Garry collapsed in August last year after spending the day with his family.

Wife Kim, 54, said: “There were a couple of times when he had passed out before so I thought he would just come around. But when I noticed he had stopped breathing I called 999 immediately. I was in a state of shock.”

Thankfully for Kim, their children were over for the weekend. Their daughter Emily and their son Louis were staying with them along with his fiancée, Lucy, and with the support of call-taker, Scarlett Brewster, Louis was able to perform vital CPR.

Kim said: “I could have lost everything that night but we’ve still got a long way to go to get back to the life we were living before. We use humour as a family to get over things and we know that helps.”

She added: “People have asked me if the paramedics were heroes. No, I don’t think that’s the right term.

“They were doing a job. But I’m eternally grateful for them and the work they do. You know that when you get that knock on the door that it’s all right and that you can trust them to do their work.”

Garry was taken to hospital where he was fitted with a stent, returned home within a week and was back at work as a caretaker at St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, in Highdown Drive, after about six months.

Garry has since hailed the efforts of paramedics Darren Bliss, Karen Isted, Andy Ray, Gareth Jones, Keith Foord and Zoe Simac, as well as all the others who helped during the ordeal.

He said: “The last year has just been a case of me trying to get my head round how serious everything was. I have no recollection whatsoever. The skills and techniques that the ambulance service have now are amazing. To see what it used to be – now these guys are the premier league.

“I’d obviously want to thank everyone that I’m still here. Everyone in the service should be so proud of the job they do.”

The Survivors’ Event, was organised by the South East Coast Ambulance Service. It was held on Sunday (September 22), in Wakehurst Place, near Haywards Heath.

It’s the third time the event has happened and reunites paramedics with those they helped save.