Eisteddfod concert-goer thanks First Responders who saved his life

* Alwyn Williams and his wife Judith with (inset right) Community First Responder Richard Witheridge. 

A man who had a cardiac arrest at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July has thanked the onsite medical team who saved his life.

Alwyn Williams, 76, collapsed suddenly and stopped breathing after attending the Katherine Jenkins concert.

Event medics MediEvent quickly moved Alwyn from his car, where he was slumped over the wheel, and administered life-saving treatment defibrillating him and restarting his heart before the arrival of Community First Responders Emma Lawrenson and Richard Witheridge. 

Community First Responders are trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service to administer life-saving treatment and support in the precious minutes before an ambulance arrives.  

The newly-qualified volunteers arrived on scene within minutes of a 999 call being made and worked under the direction of the on-site medical staff from MediEvent to stabilise the grandfather-of-eight and take him to hospital. 

Community First Responder Richard, 49, of Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, said: “We were just coming to the end of our shift and decided to have one last drive around the area before logging off. 

“As we approached the car park we received an alert, notifying us of a confirmed cardiac arrest just 100m from our location. 

“We rushed to the scene and found that event medics had already obtained a return of spontaneous circulation. 

“Everything went so well and we knew that, between us, we had given him the best possible chance of survival. 

“All in all, it was the perfect way to end our shift.

MediEvent director Chris Robinson-Springall said: “MediEvent were delighted with the positive outcome following Mr Williams cardiac arrest. Our highly skilled paramedics and clinicians were able to restart Mr Williams hear within minutes of commencing lifesaving CPR and defibrillation. 

“This is a prime example of the need for medics at high capacity venues and the spend in which you need to act in these situations.”

Alwyn is recovering alongside his wife, Judith, 76, in their Llanfyllin, Powys, home after being fitted with a pacemaker.

He said: “I don’t remember anything about the incident at all but what I do know is that I’m incredibly grateful to the medical staff who saved my life. 

“My son is a police sergeant and he has told to me that if it wasn’t for the immediate intervention of MediEvent UK staff and the Community First Responders from the Welsh Ambulance Service, it may well have been a very different outcome.”

Martin Spencer, Operations Assistant (Community Support) at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Alwyn’s story highlights exactly what our Community First Responder initiative is about.

“Being based in the local community means our volunteers can be there much quicker than a conventional ambulance crew.

“It’s a role which is making a real difference to people's lives, and the fact that Emma and Richard had only just completed their training makes this even more impressive.

“In this instance it was also the quick action of MediEvent staff on site who were able to begin working on Mr Williams as soon as it became apparent that he’d suffered a cardiac arrest that saved his life.”