‘I’m back, I’m back’

Wisbech postman Jimmy Watson survived multiple cardiac arrests thanks to the incredible efforts of his colleagues and the emergency crews who helped him.

On the morning of Thursday 2 January, Jimmy was scanning the Special Deliveries when he started feeling hot, sweaty and unusually bloated, ‘as if I needed to burp,’ he said.

Fortunately for Jimmy, fellow postman Ricki Maxey dialled 999. Little did Jimmy know just how vital that call would turn out to be as shortly afterwards he lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest.

When the paramedics arrived, Jimmy was defibrillated and resuscitated and a Magpas Air Ambulance was scrambled to take him to Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.

Jimmy was conscious and talking when Magpas doctor Antonia Hazlerigg and Magpas paramedic Sally Boor arrived to assess his condition and bring the emergency department to him.

But, while preparing to move him safely to the helicopter, Jimmy went into another cardiac arrest. Specially trained for these types of situation, Dr Antonia and Sally ‘shocked’ Jimmy twice. On loading him into the air ambulance he suffered a further two cardiac arrests; the Magpas team defibrillated him again and gave him advanced drugs to try and prevent it happening again.

But once in the air, Jimmy went into cardiac arrest another four times – all the while giving the crew verbal warnings – saying: ‘I’m going, I’m going…it’s happening again.’ He would then fall unconscious before being revived and shouting: ‘I’m back! I’m back!’

A paramedic told the BBC that it was ‘incredibly rare for anyone in this state to have such lucid conversations.’

Subsequently, when the Magpas Air Ambulance team handed Jimmy’s care over to the staff at Royal Papworth Hospital for further treatment, he had to be shocked one last time.

When Jimmy met Dr Hazlerigg at Magpas Air Ambulance Operations Base 10 days after his ordeal, he said: ‘It’s amazing to thank one of the people who helped save my life – I can’t believe it. Words can’t sum up how I feel to meet Antonia. All I can say is, not all heroes wear capes!’

Speaking about his ordeal, Jimmy said: ‘There was one time I did think I'd actually died because it took me that long to come around," he said. Then I started hearing voices and thought 'oh I'm still here' - it was unbelievable.’

Wisbech delivery office manager Brian Dunsmore, said: ‘It’s a great relief for all of us that Jimmy is now on the mend after what was definitely one of the worst days in my history as a manager.

‘Thankfully the paramedics arrived quickly, but Jimmy being the postman he is, he was directing other colleagues on what still had to be done with the Specials while they were treating him!

‘Jimmy is one of our most valued members at Wisbech with years of experience and knowledge. We all wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he’ll soon be fit enough to return to work.’

You can read more on Jimmy’s remarkable story on the Magpas Air Ambulance website.