Golfer reunited with paramedic who saved his life
Published: March 31, 2008
A HEART attack patient has been reunited with the paramedic whose quick thinking helped save his life.
Gerry Wooster, of Bradley, Wrexham, was struck by a sudden heart attack when walking away from the fourth hole at Rhuddlan Golf Club last October.
Doctor Jamie Wainwright, a St Asaph based GP, was following in a party behind Gerry and rushed to give first aid.
Rhyl clinical team leader Ken Cook, was manning a rapid response vehicle when he was informed of the incident, and made his way to the golf club within four minutes of the call.
Arriving at the club, the paramedic decided getting to Gerry on foot would lose the patient valuable seconds, vital for his chance of survival.
And so quick thinking Ken decided to pack his bags onto an awaiting golf buggy, and use the vehicle to continue his rapid response to the patient on the fourth hole.
He explained: “When I arrived the patient was being resuscitated by a fellow golfer who just happened to be Dr Wainwright from Pen-Y-Bont surgery, St Asaph. Following further resuscitation and five shocks from the defibrillator, we managed to restart his heart.”
The paramedic was quickly joined by Rhyl Ambulance crew Tony Stephens and Sam Jones who negotiated their emergency vehicle across the fairways to reach Gerry.
The crew assisted with the patient’s breathing in the back of the ambulance until they arrived at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.
Now Gerry, a member of the 18 hole club since 1967, has been reunited with Ken at the club and given a chance to thank him.
Thanks to the clinical assistance he received, Gerry, who has been fitted with a defibrillator to keep his heart
beat at a comfortable rate, is already back testing his handicap of 17 on the fairways of Rhuddlan.
Ken added: “It’s just great to be able to see how well Gerry has recovered from his heart attack. It was very nice to see him here and see how much of a respected man he is at the club.”
The past chairman of the Clwyd Boarder Alliance, Gerry said: “Ken and the crew did a very good job, if it wasn’t for him and Doctor Wainwright on the golf course, I wouldn’t be here today.
“I came off the par three fourth green on the course and I was suddenly on the ground. Doctor Wainwright was behind us and ran 100 yards to help me. Then Ken was the first ambulance man to reach me on the course.”
He added: “I have played a few holes since October, but now I am getting around in a golf buggy instead of walking. It will take me time but I am getting around a bit better…I can still swing!”
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