Heart attack survivor reunites with ambulance crew
NEASA man has been reunited with the ambulance crew who saved his life following a heart attack at his home last year.
Gary Pendleton, from Durham, began experiencing symptoms shortly after a gym session on 7 May 2025, and called 999 himself.
He was struggling to speak as he felt increasingly unwell but managed to tell the team his address, and the crew arrived and took him straight to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Now he has recovered Gary wanted to have the opportunity to thank the people who saved him.
He suffered a cardiac arrest just as the ambulance approached the Freeman Hospital and was taken straight into theatre.
Gary had a stent fitted to unlock an artery and was in hospital for 48 hours before he took on a 12 week cardiac rehabilitation programme.
He said: "Looking back I'm glad to still be around, it's the small things that make all the difference."
He thanked paramedic Annie O'Sullivan for applying the defibrillator pads as a precaution when taking him to the hospital as they saved his life as he neared hospital.
O'Sullivan said Gary's story highlighted the importance of seeking medical attention if people felt chest pain or shortness of breath.
"It's been really special to be reunited with Gary because we don't often get the chance to hear what happens to patients after we leave them, particularly when they've gone on to make such a good recovery," she said.
Fellow ambulance crew member Paul Arkle said it was great to see Gary "back enjoying life and doing things he loves".