Colin, an apparently fit and healthy then 67-year-old, started making odd noises during the early morning of 8 July and wasn’t responding to Diane’s efforts to wake him. The operator on the 111-call talked Diane through moving Colin to the floor and commencing chest compressions until the ambulance arrived, along with the first response fire service team.

Colin was intubated and the teams worked for over an hour before moving Colin to Southland Hospital with Diane and their daughter and son-in-law following on. The family was soon told that the Dunedin Hospital team wanted him moved there immediately to receive specialist coronary care and so the rescue helicopter was dispatched. Pilot, Lindsay, flew the helicopter bringing paramedic, Peter and an ICU retrieval team from Dunedin Hospital and Colin was transferred to their care. Colin subsequently underwent open heart surgery, including receiving a pacemaker and defibrillator, and remained in Dunedin Hospital for a month.  

While Colin was airborne, Diane and their daughter and son-in-law made their way from Invercargill to Dunedin. The helicopter and ICU crew kept in touch with them throughout what must have felt like a very long trip, encouraging them to take their time and providing reassurance on Colin’s progress and safe arrival at Dunedin Hospital.

“The team was just amazing, and we are so grateful” said Colin and Diane. We would add that Diane also did a wonderful job of giving those early compressions in such a stressful situation, ensuring Colin was alive for the first responders’ arrival. It really has been a team effort and Colin is enjoying being back home in Invercargill. We wish Colin, Diane and the family the very best.