Skip to main content

Cardiac arrest survivor thanks lifesaving neighbours and ambulance crews

A FATHER-of-two who survived a cardiac arrest has been reunited with the off-duty police officer neighbours and ambulance crews who saved his life.

In March, Kealey Reilly was woken in the early hours of the morning by a sound she initially mistook for snoring.

Her husband Oliver, 38, was experiencing agonal breathing, a sign of cardiac arrest.

Realising something was seriously wrong, Kealey dialled 999 while the couple’s 12-year-old daughter Florence ran next door to alert their neighbours.

Kealey from Ystalyfera, Swansea, said: “When I couldn’t wake him, I called 999 and the call handler guided me through CPR.

“Florence, who had also woken up and witnessed everything, ran to our neighbours Hannah and Matthew Miers, who are both police officers and trained in CPR.

“They took over chest compressions while our other neighbour, a retired auxiliary nurse, assisted.

“They just switched into professional mode.

“They were quick, calm and focused.”

A public access defibrillator, located 120 metres away and installed just months earlier, was retrieved and used before Welsh Ambulance Service Paramedic Vikki Davies and Emergency Medical Technicians Colin Read, Jamie Higgins and Gavin Treseder arrived on scene.

Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) in a Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.

Oliver was taken to Swansea’s Morriston Hospital by ambulance, supported by the EMRTS crew, where he spent three weeks in an induced coma.

Oliver said: “I owe my life to Kealey, Florence, and our neighbours Hannah and Matthew.

“Kealey’s quick reaction, Florence’s bravery in seeking help, and the strength shown by Hannah and Matthew were extraordinary.

“I've been told you acted like true friends and professionals that night, and you didn't give up on me.

“You've allowed me to be here today for my children and for that I will be eternally grateful.”

“Also a massive thank you to the quick response from both the ambulance and air ambulance service – what you do is truly commendable.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service has since reunited the family with the crews who attended and has formally recognised Hannah and Matthew Miers with a Chief Executive’s Commendation for their lifesaving actions.

Kealey continued: “Doctors warned he might never walk or talk again, but he defied all expectations.

“We were extremely lucky; everything was in place for him to survive.

“Not many people can say they’ve saved someone’s life, let alone their neighbour’s.

“I’m extremely grateful to Hannah and Matthew, they absolutely deserve this recognition.

“I’m so glad that this horrible experience has turned into something positive, especially for our children, who were so brave that night.”

For those affected by cardiac arrest, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Save a Life Cymru and the Resuscitation Council UK have partnered to provide tailored support and guidance for survivors, families, and responders, focusing on both emotional and physical recovery.

The resources also include dedicated support for young people, co-survivors, and bystanders.

Carl Powell, Clinical Lead for Acute Care at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “In a cardiac arrest every second counts.

“Your chances of surviving the event are significantly improved if there are people trained in CPR and also a defibrillator is brought to the scene.

“Oliver was fortunate enough to have neighbours who were at home and available to provide that resuscitation skill.  

“I would urge all to learn CPR and sign up to the GoodSAM application in Wales to help us improve survival rate and create a nation of life savers.”

How you can help further: