'I would not be here today without them'

Antony Linward paid a visit to South East Coast Ambulance Service to reunite with paramedics

A father from East Sussex who collapsed while haemorrhaging blood from an abdominal aortic aneurysm has reunited with the medics who saved his life.

Antony Linward, 68, was at home with his wife in Crowborough in the early morning of 11 November, 2024, when he began to vomit and lose consciousness.

After emergency services arrived at their home, Mr Linward was experiencing multiple organ failure as paramedics worked to stabilise him.

Five months on, after spending 52 days in hospital, Mr Linward said: "I truly cannot thank them enough for helping me when disaster struck. I don't think I would be here today without them."

'I remember it like yesterday'

A team of six clinicians from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), as well as the Air Ambulance Charity, and Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Kent Fire and Rescue, attended the Linwards' home after 999 was called.

Mr Linward met the Secamb staff who helped to save his life at the service's Paddock Wood Make Ready Centre.

Cathleen Carter, who was responsible for dispatching and coordinating the medical aid, said she remembered the day Mr Linward collapsed "like it was yesterday".

"I'm so glad I have been able to meet Antony to see the impact that my role has on our patients," she said.

Libby Pillet, one of the paramedics who helped Mr Linward, added: "It was a pleasure to reunite with Antony after such a traumatic time and to see him doing so well."