A Manchester man who made a remarkable recovery after having a cardiac arrest, this week met up with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) staff who helped save his life.

On 9 November, Ray Portlock, 51, from Newall Green had just picked up his five year old son from school after bumping his head, when he suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing.

Son, Bradley, thought Daddy was being silly but thankfully father in law, Shaun, had just arrived at the home, quickly rang for an ambulance. The emergency medical dispatcher instructed life-saving CPR which Shaun performed for six minutes before the ambulance arrived. 

Paramedic, Sarah Locke arrived in an ambulance with her colleague, quickly followed by Paramedic, Mateusz Gawron and Community Specialist Paramedic, Sara Harris. The crew treated Ray for over an hour and were able to get his heart beating again whilst still at home with Ray returning to full consciousness.

Community Specialist Paramedic for NWAS, Sara Harris, said: “We do our job for stories like this, it’s an absolutely fantastic outcome for Ray and his family and it’s amazing to see him looking so well.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of people in the community stepping in at times like this and starting the life-saving CPR before we get there.

“Without the brave efforts of Shaun, it could have been a completely different outcome. Huge well done to him.”

Ray, his wife Kat, two children Bradley and Jade, aged nine, made a special visit to Sharston ambulance station with their family on Wednesday 12 December where they presented the ambulance crew with treats as a thank you for all their efforts in saving Ray’s life.

Ray said: “I remember experiencing some chest pain but didn’t want to make a fuss and then the next thing I remember I was on the floor with all the paramedics around me.

“I really cannot thank everyone enough, I owe these people everything.”

Ray was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital, but is now back home recovering with his family.