A Tube passenger who went into cardiac arrest at Liverpool Street Station has met the bystanders and paramedics who saved his life.
Paul Benson, 67, from Barnet, collapsed in the pedestrian tunnel at the central London station while on his way to catch the Elizabeth Line with his wife, Lorraine.
Thankfully, an off-duty nurse, doctor, and pharmacist were nearby and immediately began chest compressions to keep him alive. They used the station’s defibrillator to restart his heart before paramedics arrived.
London Ambulance Service (LAS) crews rushed to the scene and transported Paul to the nearest Heart Attack Centre at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, where he underwent bypass surgery.
‘I Wouldn’t Be Here Without a Defibrillator’
Now on the road to recovery, Paul had the opportunity to reunite with the paramedics who treated him at a London Lifesaver training event for London Assembly Members at Liverpool Street Station earlier this week.
“It’s important that Londoners aren’t frightened to stop and help,” Paul said.
“It’s very easy to walk past, but those who step in can save lives. They can’t make it any worse, but they can certainly make it better. Thanks to their help, I’ve been able to carry on with my life.”
Reflecting on his ordeal, Paul expressed deep gratitude for the quick-thinking bystanders and medical professionals.
“I was in very good hands, and my good Samaritans kept me alive until the paramedics arrived. Without a defibrillator, I wouldn’t be here.”
Paramedic’s First-Time Reunion with a Cardiac Arrest Survivor
Among those who treated Paul was Paramedic Jackson Day, who described the moment as special.
“It was great to meet Paul and see such a positive outcome for him,” he said.
“I’ve worked at London Ambulance Service for nearly seven years, and this was my first time meeting someone I’ve treated who suffered a cardiac arrest. It was a really special moment.”
Raising Awareness for ‘Defibrillator Deserts’
Paul is now backing the London Ambulance Charity’s Heart Starters campaign, which aims to provide defibrillators in the most deprived areas of London.
Analysis by London Ambulance Service has highlighted that dozens of London neighbourhoods are ‘defibrillator deserts’, meaning they have little or no access to life-saving devices.
Mark Faulkner, Consultant Paramedic at London Ambulance Service, stressed the importance of public awareness and intervention.
“Paul is very lucky to have survived thanks to the swift actions of bystanders. Sadly, we don’t know who they are, but we are immensely thankful for their efforts,” he said.
“Anyone can learn to do chest compressions, and you do not need any specific training to use a defibrillator. These skills saved Paul’s life.”
London Assembly: ‘Saving a Life Is Surprisingly Simple’
Krupesh Hirani AM, Chair of the London Assembly Health Committee, emphasized the importance of CPR training.
“Saving a life sounds like a big deal – but it’s surprisingly straightforward,” he said.
“Meeting Paul, who owes his life to the passing public and London Ambulance Service crews, was a very humbling experience.”
The London Assembly has recognized the critical need to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by equipping Londoners with CPR skills and knowledge.
Transport for London Supports Life-Saving Initiative
Naomi Smith, Head of Customer Operations at Transport for London (TfL), praised the collaboration between TfL, the Mayor’s office, and London Ambulance Service in expanding access to defibrillators.
“We know every second counts when saving a life, so we are pleased that as well as having first-aid trained staff at stations, our customers will have quick access to a defibrillator across the Tube and Overground,” she said.
With Paul’s incredible survival story now part of a larger campaign, the hope is that more Londoners will feel empowered to step in and save lives in an emergency.
