Heart-Stopping Journey: The Commuter Saved by Quick-Thinking Hospital Staff
On a routine train ride home that turned life-threatening, Philip Le Pere, a 54-year-old from Swanley, owes his life to the prompt actions of off-duty staff from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals. This remarkable story of survival and gratitude unfolds as Philip reunites with the very individuals who intervened during his critical moment of need.
In January, while Philip was traveling home from Waterloo East, he experienced a sudden cardiac arrest shortly after the train departed London Bridge station. Fatefully, Jenny Penn, Karen Torre, and Dee Yissau—employees of Guy’s and St Thomas’—were nearby and sprang into action. With the help of fellow passengers, they managed to perform life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Philip, navigating the challenging conditions of a moving train.
Philip recalls nothing from the incident until waking up in the Emergency Department at King’s College Hospital. He had been feeling breathless over Christmas and had planned to see his GP, a visit he never made. The sudden collapse came without warning, making his awakening in the hospital all the more shocking.
Jenny Penn, who first responded to Philip’s distress, emphasized the importance of engaging with Philip even in his unconscious state, encouraging him to keep fighting as she and others worked to save his life. Karen and Dee, alongside an off-duty paramedic and concerned passengers, continued CPR until the train reached Lewisham station, where they were met by the London Ambulance Service and British Transport Police.
The group effort to save Philip did not go unnoticed. Through community connections, Jenny discovered Philip’s identity and learned of his successful treatment and survival, bringing relief and joy to all who had helped him that day.
Philip’s treatment included heart surgery to fit a stent, addressing the underlying cause of his cardiac arrest. After two weeks in the hospital, he was discharged and continues his recovery at home, grateful for the chance to continue his life and career as a photographic technician with the Metropolitan Police.
Reunited with Jenny, Karen, and Dee, Philip expressed his profound thanks, filling in the gaps of a day he’ll never remember but will always be pivotal in his life. Their reunion highlighted the extraordinary circumstances that brought them together and the undeniable impact of their actions.
Avey Bhatia, Chief Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’, praised the staff for their heroic actions, emphasizing the broader message of the critical importance of CPR knowledge and the difference it can make in emergency situations.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the value of CPR training and the incredible difference quick thinking and community spirit can make in saving a life. It underscores the importance of public awareness and preparedness for cardiac emergencies, advocating for more widespread CPR training and access to defibrillators.
