John's Story

John, 67, was looking forward to a day of photography at Elie Beach in Fife when a pain in his chest suddenly escalated to extreme levels.

After travelling from his home in Alloa, John had set up his tripod and was admiring the scenery when the pain struck. He knew “something wasn’t right”.

“I packed up my kit and attempted to head back to the car park, but I soon couldn’t move and had to lie down,” he recalls.

“Thankfully, a couple of young women walking nearby noticed me and knew I needed medical help.”

A 999 call was made, and while John waited for help to arrive, a retired doctor who had parked in the car park came to his aid.

It was a bracingly cold February day, and as his pain increased, John was also exposed to dangerous wintry conditions while lying on the beach.

A land ambulance soon arrived at the scene to assist, but it quickly became apparent that getting John from the beach to the car park would be challenging.

“It was difficult to get me out of the spot I was in,” he says.

“The terrain was muddy and uneven. I was downhill and I couldn’t move on my own.

“The crew did manage to get me to a nearby bench, but I was still some distance away from the car park.

“I just remember being sprawled out on this bench, writhing in pain – it was awful. I was prepared to go. I said to Mark, a lovely gent who remained by my side throughout, ‘Just tell my partner Debbie, I love her.’”

Another land ambulance arrived on the scene to provide additional support. The decision was then made that John needed to reach specialist hospital care as quickly as possible.

Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) was tasked from its Perth base to assist. The crew flew to the scene in 11 minutes and immediately worked alongside Scottish Ambulance Service colleagues to stabilise John, manage his pain and prepare him for the quick eight-minute flight to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

“All I remember then was being strapped to the air ambulance stretcher, and the next minute I was on the operating table at hospital. It all seemed so quick after SCAA arrived,” John reflects.

Once SCAA transferred John to hospital, he was immediately rushed into surgery, where a stent was fitted via his right arm.

The father-of-two spent a week in hospital before returning home to his partner, Debbie, in Alloa. Reflecting on the events of his cardiac arrest, John remains appreciative of all those who came to his aid.

He said: “Without the air ambulance I don’t think I would have lasted much longer. That level of skill, equipment and team effort helped give me another nibble at life.

“SCAA were a crucial part of the jigsaw in saving my life that day.

“It was a horrendous event, but the amount of skill and professionalism I received was just incredible. If it wasn’t for SCAA, I don’t think I would be here.

“Thanks to this help, I was able to meet my new grandson and I’m grateful for each day.”