Woman reunited with her lifesaver
Published: March 19, 2006
When Irene Rowse’s heart suddenly stopped beating in the Tesco car park, her chances of surviving decreased by 20pc every minute she remained dead to the world.
But because of the quick actions of paramedic Tristan Cork she survived - and was able to walk away from hospital three weeks later for Christmas celebrations her family thought she would never see.
Yesterday, Mrs Rowse was reunited with the man who saved her life as the two appealed for supermarkets to start stocking lifesaving heart-shock equipment alongside the frozen foods.
“I have no history of heart problems and lead an active life being a mum of two,” said Jobcentre worker Mrs Rowse, 48, from Bradwell, near Yarmouth.
“I was out shopping with my husband one Friday at the Yarmouth Tesco’s, we walked across the car park to the trolleys when I sighed and just collapsed. The next thing I remember is waking up a week later.”
Husband Martin described his wife as frothing at the mouth after her collapse, on December 2 last year, watched by a throng of onlookers - none of whom had life-saving training.
“It was getting more and more desperate, Irene was grey and I was thinking the worst,” said Mr Rowse. “But within four minutes, Tristan had arrived. If he hadn’t got there when he did, I’m sure she wouldn’t have survived.”
Mr Cork, 23, who has been a paramedic based in Norwich for 18 months, said it was lucky he was close to the scene when the call came through to 999.
“Only 0.5pc of people whose heart just stops survive at all,” he said. “Paramedics with 20 years’ experience only treat a couple who survive. More than with anything else it’s a race against time.
“I gave Irene 100 chest compressions when I arrived but had no response. One shock of the defibrillator kept her alive, though.
“Defibrillators cost £1000 each and you need no medical training to use one. With the amount of money supermarkets make each week there should be one in every branch.
“Irene is lucky to be alive - others who collapse while shopping will not be. In may opinion, Tesco should buy each store a defibrillator as a matter of priority.”
Last night, a spokesman for Tesco said: “At the moment, we don’t have defibrillators in store but customers are our priority and it’s something we could potentially look at.”
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