A heartwarming reunion as daughters thank the paramedic who revived their dad on a train after a cardiac arrest
Rochester: A Tottenham Hotspur fan had a close call when he suffered a cardiac arrest on a train. Luckily, an off-duty paramedic was there to save the day. Stefan Soler, who works for the London Ambulance Service, was heading home from a match when he heard someone calling for help.
He rushed over to find Keith Calnon, 68, from Rochester, slumped in his seat. Without wasting a second, Stefan jumped in and started CPR. He also got others on the train to call for an ambulance and grab a defibrillator.
After a couple of shocks, Keith woke up, though he was a bit confused. Thankfully, other medical professionals arrived quickly at Tottenham Hale station to help out.
Stefan shared how special this moment was for him, especially during the holiday season when families come together. It reminded him of his own grandfather’s heart attack years ago, which inspired him to become a paramedic.
He said, “It’s amazing to have this full circle moment – I get to be that clinician for someone else. It’s a very emotional experience.”
During a visit to the London Ambulance Service HQ, Keith’s daughters, Amy and Kathryn, got to thank Stefan and another officer, Peter Fisher. Sadly, Keith couldn’t be there since he’s still recovering from heart surgery.
Amy expressed how grateful they are, saying, “It’s crazy to think how differently it might have ended. We’re so thankful to Stefan and everyone who helped save our dad.”
Both sisters realized how crucial CPR training is after seeing its impact firsthand. Kathryn added, “Dad knows he’s lucky to be here, and we can’t thank Stefan enough. It’s also made us realize how important it is for everyone to learn CPR.”
Peter, the officer, explained how vital quick action is in emergencies. He said, “In Keith’s case, everything fell into place, showing how effective CPR can be when done right away.”
The reunion happened thanks to a post on the Tottenham Hotspur Facebook page that went viral, leading to the meet-up. The community’s support has been overwhelming for the family.
Pauline Cranmer, the Chief Paramedic, praised the teamwork, saying, “This shows how our paramedics are always ready to help, even off-duty. They join the service to save lives, and that commitment never stops.”
She also emphasized the importance of learning CPR, noting that early intervention can significantly boost survival chances. It’s easy to get trained online, so anyone can be ready to help in emergencies.
If you want to support the London Ambulance, they’re organizing a fun challenge where you can abseil down from the iconic Spurs stadium. The funds will help provide more defibrillators and CPR training.
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