Cyclists’ collapse leads to more than 30 learning life-saving skills

Andrew Gibson, 62, of Wymondham was out cycling in country lanes near his home when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and lost consciousness. “I was a fit and active person, I did a lot of cycling and had walked Ben Nevis. While walking Ben Nevis, I noticed I was getting out of breath and had to stop. I went to my doctor and eventually had an ECG that showed nothing, so thought it might have been a touch of COVID. I went out on my bicycle shortly afterwards and that’s when I had my cardiac arrest.”

Healthcare assistant Beth Coates happened to be driving behind Andrew on an otherwise quiet country road.

Beth, who works at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said: “It's a fairly lonely part of Wymondham, and I was only driving that way because the A11 was closed.

“He was cycling in front of me, and his bike came to a slow stop, then his bike fell, and he fell with it.

“There was another lady in a car coming from the other direction. She also stopped and I called 999.” Beth was able to give EEAST a precise location using the What3Words app.

She said: “I have annual CPR training, but had never used it until now. Some people said not to do CPR because Andrew was still breathing, but I started chest compressions anyway.

“A paramedic in a rapid response vehicle arrived with a defibrillator and Andrew’s heart restarted on the second shock that was given.”

The East Anglian Air Ambulance and an ambulance arrived next. Andrew was stabilised and transported to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for further treatment.

Andrew only became conscious a few days later and had no recollection of the moments leading up to his collapse:

He said: “They kept me in hospital for ten days, because for a while they didn’t think I might make it. “I had a stent fitted and some balloon work on my arteries, and since then have been much better. “I also had cardiac rehabilitation care from the hospital, which showed me what exercises to do. “Within a few weeks I was able to get out and about and am building up my fitness again and can now cycle 35 miles.

“But without Beth just happening to go that way, I wouldn’t be here.”

Following the incident, Beth reached out to Andy Housego, a Community First Responder within EEAST who happened to be one of her teachers when she was a high school student. Together they organised a CPR training session for more than 30 members of the public, which Andy delivered as part of the EEAST Heart scheme.

Andy said: “Andrew was present and spoke to the audience, inspiring so many to ‘just have a go’. Beth, the local hero who started CPR, was able to assist in coaching those present on how simple, yet important it is to learn the essential skills of basic life support and using a defibrillator.”

Andy is part of the EEAST Heart leadership team developing and training a network of volunteers around the county, with the aim of making Norfolk a county of lifesavers.

For more information on how to take part, please contact EEAST Heart

Picture: Beth Coates, Andrew Gibson and Andy Housego