Woman hails Offaly Paramedics as her 'angels' and 'heroes'

A woman has hailed two Offaly Paramedics as being her “angels” and “heroes” as they saved her life and comforted her during a traumatic situation.

Pauline King says that if it hadn't been for the Birr‑based ambulance men she would no longer be with us.

She was at home on the night of February 21st last year, when, at 1.30am she suffered “a massive heart attack.”

“I had been watching the Late Late,” she recalled. “After that, Peadar (her husband) started to watch a film, but I was tired and went to bed.”

She woke up at 1.30am feeling very unwell. “I felt terrible, really bad. There was a strange sensation in my body which I can only describe as being like insects buzzing. I told Peadar and we rang 999 immediately. The ambulance arrived in ten minutes.”

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The paramedics, whose ambulance is based in John's Terrace, Birr, were Aidan Mooney and Seamus Pyke. “We carried out a 12‑lead ECG on Pauline which told us she was having a heart attack,” said Aidan.

“We informed Limerick Hospital and then her heart stopped, transitioning from an attack to an arrest. We used the defibrillator, administering one shock and carried out CPR. Thankfully, her heart restarted and she came back almost immediately.”

Pauline said the Paramedics were “wonderful”. “You can imagine how low and terrible I felt and they were so professional and kind. They held my hand and spoke kindly to me. They were like angels, heroes. And they brought me back, for which I am so grateful.”

Pauline, who is 70 years of age, said she is delighted to still be alive and she relishes, savours life; just being here fills her with gratitude. It's estimated that about 1 in 10 people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside a hospital situation survive the experience, therefore Pauline belongs to the 10% of survivors.

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“I am so happy to be here,” she reiterated. “Seven or eight people living in the Errill area had heart attacks in the last couple of years and died, therefore I feel very lucky, blessed.”

She wonders if the Covid vaccines, or suffering bouts of Covid, perhaps weakened her heart.

After leaving University Hospital Limerick, Pauline went back to work after six months, continuing her work as a Carer with the Irish Wheelchair Association. “I am not the sort of person to stay at home. I need to get out and work, for a few hours a day at least. Thankfully I am well enough and strong enough now to once again do the job I love, being a Carer.”

The Midland Tribune asked Aidan and Seamus if there are enough Paramedics in the Midlands.

“There are never enough Paramedics,” said Seamus. “It would be good to have more of us out and about, attending emergencies.” Aidan and Seamus were also full of praise for First Responders, pointing out that these volunteers fulfil a very important role.

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As a way of saying thank you and highlighting their good work Pauline asked The Midland Tribune to write this story. She also met Aidan and Seamus in The County Arms Hotel in Birr and treated them to lunch.