Miracle Survival: Woman’s Heart Stops for Over an Hour—Now She’s Home for Christmas
A 62-year-old woman has defied all odds after suffering a cardiac arrest and stroke behind the wheel—her heart stopped for more than an hour. Jacqueline Alston is now back home, celebrating Christmas with her family, thanks to quick-thinking police officers, a trained medic, and kind strangers.
Emergency Drama on Dunmow Road
Jacqueline suddenly lost consciousness while driving on Dunmow Road in Ongar in May 2024. Her car drifted off the road and crashed into a telegraph pole. Luckily, her sunroof was open, allowing two passersby, Andy Fleming and Adrian Rowell, to pull her out.
Sergeant Rob Fitt and PC Tom Baggley, from Epping’s community policing team, were nearby when they got the emergency call. They rushed over, joined by Mark Johnson, a trained medic who had stopped to help. Together, they launched a life-saving operation.
Defibrillators, CPR, and a Race Against Time
- The officers started urgent CPR.
- Mark prepared a defibrillator brought by a helpful bystander from a nearby farm.
- They delivered four electric shocks before helicopter paramedics arrived, who added two more.
- A robotic chest compression device kept the lifesaving efforts going.
- A faint electrical charge returned to Jacqueline’s heart—miracle in motion.
She was rushed to Basildon Hospital, escorted by the Road Policing Unit, with her husband Gary allowed to stay by her side.
From Near-Death to Christmas Miracle
Doctors feared the worst. Jacqueline was placed on life support, and survival seemed unlikely. But just four days later, she woke up and was speaking. After months of treatment at Basildon, Broomfield, Brentwood, and Homerton hospitals, Jacqueline was finally allowed home in December, just in time for Christmas with her husband, two sons, and three grandchildren.
Emotional Reunion with Her Lifesavers
Sergeant Fitt and PC Baggley kept in touch with the family during Jacqueline’s recovery and recently visited their home for an emotional meet-up.
“When we found out Jacqueline was conscious, it was fantastic, but to see her in person was absolutely unbelievable,” Sgt Fitt said. “I even teared up when she thanked us—it’s a moment I’ll always think back on during tough days at work.”
He added: “You just do your best. Those first few seconds made all the difference.”
‘A Guardian Angel Was Watching Over Her’
Gary Alston spoke of their deep gratitude: “A neurology consultant told us my wife has a guardian angel, and we truly believe it. Her heart stopped for one hour and seven minutes—what a different Christmas it could have been.”
He praised all emergency responders: “The police, ambulance service, the NHS—you couldn’t fault them. Jacqueline’s care was filled with love. We’re so lucky to live where we do.”
Gary, a black cab driver, had a message for the public: “People have criticised the police before, but after what they did for us, I put them in their place. What they did was unreal.”
