An off-duty paramedic saved a man's lift after he suffered a heart attack on a flight back from the Canary Islands.
Jon Thordason was heading home from a holiday in Gran Canaria when fellow passenger Terry Potter collapsed from cardiac arrest.
As the only medic on the plane, Jon performed CPR and administered six shocks using the aircraft's defibrillator before the 50-year-old's heart started beating again.
Thankfully, Terry made a fully recovery and was able to return to the UK six days later, Hull Live reports.
Jon said: “I’ve spent the last seven years volunteering as part of Restart a Heart Day, teaching people how to do CPR and what to do if someone has a cardiac arrest.
“Despite attending and managing out-of-hospital cardiac arrests on a regular basis for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, this is the first time it has happened while I’ve been off duty… and in a different country!
“Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone at any time and by knowing CPR, you can give that person the best possible chance of survival.”
Last month, Jon travelled to London and was reunited with Terry.
Terry admits he owes his life to Jon and describes him as an “angel”.
He said: “It’s really difficult to sum up the experience. I am of course forever grateful to Jon for being there and not only giving me a second chance at life but also restoring my faith in people.
“There are indeed angels and heroes in this world. I wouldn’t be here today if he hadn’t stepped in and taken control.
“I now have first-hand experience of how CPR knowledge and expertise can save lives.”
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