Lewis’ Story

New dad Lewis was at home in Redruth in November 2023 when he suddenly collapsed. With fears he may be suffering from a brain bleed, he needed the help of Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Lewis was struggling with a lack of sleep being a new parent, he had picked up a virus from his son’s nursery, was in the middle of renovating the house and was also juggling a busy job, having been up to London and back the previous day. On the day of his incident, he was feeling unwell and working from home, when he went into the bathroom and collapsed to the floor.

His wife, Shevaughan, rushed in and called 999. She carried out CPR until the emergency services arrived on scene. Due to fears that Lewis may be suffering from a bleed on the brain, Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked with Critical Care Paramedics Louise Lamble and Thomas Hennessy Jones in a Rapid Response Vehicle.

“I just remember Thomas leaning over me and telling me to focus on my breathing”, said Lewis. “He had a reassuring presence, and it was a huge relief. I’ve lived in Cornwall all my life and am very aware of Cornwall Air Ambulance, and I used to volunteer for them, so knowing I had the best care was a huge sense of relief”.

On scene, Louise and Thomas checked Lewis’ vital signs, provided oxygen and stabilised him, ready for the onward journey to the Royal Cornwall Hospital via road ambulance. Thomas travelled with him, making sure that his condition did not deteriorate.

At Treliske, Lewis remained in isolation for five days where he underwent heart scans, a CT scan and follow up checks, but no underlying conditions were identified. Doctors believe the collapse was caused by an infection somewhere, potentially from a virus.

Lewis said: “Cornwall Air Ambulance made a huge difference to me. I’m still here for my wife, I’m still here for my son, it’s very easy to look at the world and see the negatives but life is an amazing thing and thanks to your team, and the NHS, ambulance crew and Treliske, I’m still here.

“I never thought I’d be a recipient of your care, never, and I hope never to again, you all do some sterling work. There is something about this charity and something about Cornwall, and when you bring it together, the achievements and the future that it’s planning for with a second helicopter, it’s really ambitious, and we need that in Cornwall. I’m a very, very proud supporter and I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for my family.”

Over six months later, Lewis has now been back to visit the airbase where he was reunited with Thomas and thanked him in person. He is now encouraging people to support the charity’s Heli2 Appeal.

Speaking about the need for a second helicopter, Lewis added: “As a resident of Cornwall, I wouldn’t want to think that the potential of me or my loved ones not being able to receive the right care at the right time could be jeopardised by routine maintenance or something wrong with the aircraft, or something that could prevent that single aircraft from flying.

“Having that second aircraft there is like the insurance policy that you never really want to use, but having it there is peace of mind, and what an extension to the resource that you’ve got here. I’m amazed by how many calls you go to every month, there is so much reliance on that one aircraft and it’s such a vital resource for our county.”