West Sussex paramedics saved grandfather's life after his heart stopped three times - 'They’re angels, all of them'

By Sam Morton
Published 21st Nov 2022, 14:31 BST
Updated 28th Nov 2022, 10:36 BST
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A West Sussex grandfather has thanked the ‘angel’ paramedics who saved his life after he collapsed at home.

Derek Everett, 86, was at home in Wick, with wife Pamela – on Wednesday, October 19 – when he suddenly felt dizzy.

“Next thing I know was lying on the floor,” Derek said. “I hit the fridge and knocked it back a few inches.

"I don’t remember anything else.”

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Pam and Derek Everett want to express their gratitude to everyone that helped them after Derek suffered a medical emergency at home in Wick. Photo: Steve Robards SR2211163Pam and Derek Everett want to express their gratitude to everyone that helped them after Derek suffered a medical emergency at home in Wick. Photo: Steve Robards SR2211163
Pam and Derek Everett want to express their gratitude to everyone that helped them after Derek suffered a medical emergency at home in Wick. Photo: Steve Robards SR2211163

Pamela called 999 before asking her next-door neighbour to help Derek into a comfortable position. Within 20 minutes, paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) arrived.

Derek, whose heart had stopped during the incident, said: “They gave me a couple of injections and said I had a heart block. They got my heart pumping again.”

Pamela said Derek was taken away in an ambulance, ‘where his heart stopped again’ – and then a third time on the way to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Derek spent three days in hospital after being rushed into theatre for a temporary pacemaker.