Man reunited with paramedics who saved his life

A man who received a total of 15 shocks from a defibrillator to restart his heart has been reunited with the ambulance crew who saved his life.

Ian Marples, from Woking in Surrey, went into cardiac arrest at his local GP surgery in 2021.

An ambulance crew was called who delivered advanced life-support to stabilise his condition.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) said Mr Marples, who made a full recovery, was "lucky to be alive".

Mr Marples was transferred to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, where he was fitted with a stent.

He was reunited with the paramedics who saved him at Chertsey ambulance station earlier in September.

He said: "The team went above and beyond, giving everything they had to save me. I’m incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication."

Tom Mikrut, Secamb paramedic, said: “It was a real team effort caring for Ian, from the GP surgery staff to the ambulance crew, and the team taking over his care in hospital.

"Ian is a fantastic example that early recognition of cardiac arrest, CPR and defibrillation leads to the best outcomes."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.