Off-duty officers saved Sunderland man after double heart attack

Detective Constable Paddy Little was on a bike ride with his son when he came across 69-year-old John Walker, who had become unwell at the wheel of his parked car, on Dykelands Road, Seaburn, Sunderland.

DC Little, who works for the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), immediately went to Mr Walker’s aid.

He was supported by PC Jonathan Buckster, of Durham Constabulary, and nurse Sarah Watson, from the NHS South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, who were also off-duty in the area.

Read more: Officer saved stabbed Hartlepool teenager’s life using rope

The trio worked together to remove Mr Walker from his car, before beginning first-aid and life-saving CPR until an ambulance arrived on scene.

Further emergency service colleagues arrived within minutes, and Mr Walker was then taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

Officers from Northumbria Police also supported Mr Walker’s wife Jean who had been buying fish and chips by the coast while he waited in their car with their dog.

She was driven to hospital, and arrangements were made so the dog could be taken care of, and their car taken home.

Both Mr and Mrs Walker paid their thanks to DC Little and PC Buckster when they met for the first time since the incident at Millbank police station, in South Shields.

Mrs Watson was unable to attend due to work commitments.

Read more: Three honoured for life saving actions at Bishop Auckland viaduct

Their efforts were also formally recognised by a senior officer in the Northumbria force, Superintendent Amanda Duminghan, who complimented them for their efforts.

Speaking at the presentation, she said: “The lengths that our officers and emergency services in the region will go to in order to help people never fails to impress me.

“I am so proud of the selflessness and dedication shown by Paddy, Jonathan and Sarah, as well as all of the blue-light colleagues who attended this incident.

“I have no doubt that their actions ultimately helped to save Mr Walker who thankfully had started breathing again when the ambulance arrived.

“Not only that, but police were also on hand to support his understandably worried wife, Jean, and make sure their dog was left in safe hands while they travelled to hospital.”

Supt Dumighan added: “Officers often carry out extraordinary acts of service, both on and off duty, and it’s only right we recognise those efforts.

“Well done to everyone involved. I’m so pleased that John is on the mend since the incident.”

Speaking after the reunion, John Walker said: “When I first saw Paddy and Jonathan again for the first time in person since falling ill, I couldn’t speak at first.

“I was overwhelmed with emotion as the realisation hit me.

“It was difficult for me to remember what had happened at first and it took me quite a few days after having two heart attacks for it to sink in properly while I was in hospital.

“I know that I had started shivering and not making sense before taking ill while I was in my car parked up at the coast in Seaburn, waiting for my wife Jean.

Read next:

* Hero officers saved the life of a Middlesbrough father

* County Durham youths complete pioneering life-saving course

* Durham Police get life-saving drug Naloxone to help overcome opiate overdoses

There is a new ‘flash sale’ running from today until the end of the month (31st).

The sale offer is £2 for 2 months (monthly) or save 20% and pay £63.20 annually.

Click here

“I just feel very lucky that Paddy, Jonathan and Sarah were there to help me and to all of the emergency services who arrived so quickly and were absolutely fantastic with me and Jean.

“We are so grateful for their amazing support and I can’t thank them enough for saving my life.”

He added he would never forget the trio and their colleagues.