Man who cheated death twice inspires 21 family members to learn how to save a life

A cardiac arrest survivor saved by crews at London Ambulance Service has inspired 21 family members to learn CPR and lifesaving skills.

Tony Walsh had spent a busy few days on a DIY project when he collapsed at home in Wanstead in November 2025.

The 61-year-old’s partner Carla heard a commotion and found him unresponsive on the kitchen floor. She felt panic and shouted for help.  Outside, their gardener Alan heard her and immediately called

999.

Paramedic arrived in four minutes

Paramedic J’enae Watts arrived at the home just four minutes after the 999 call, and immediately began to provide life-saving care to Tony. She worked alongside Alan, who had already started vital CPR. Alan’s quick thinking in those minutes before paramedics arrived later earned him an honour in the Mayor of Redbridge’s Community Awards.

J’enae applied defibrillator pads and delivered a shock. As more ambulance crews arrived, a second shock was delivered. Tony’s heart briefly returned to a normal rhythm before he went into cardiac arrest again.

Four shocks from a defibrillator

Tony needed two further shocks before he responded well and began breathing on his own again.

Carla said: “It was terrifying. When the paramedics arrived, I felt an immediate sense of relief – they were so calm and so focused. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for Tony and for me.”

Fewer than one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Road to recovery

Tony was taken to a specialist cardiac hospital where he had an internal defibrillator fitted. After five weeks in hospital, he was finally able to return home.

Six months later, he was reunited with some of the clinicians who saved his life at their base in Whipps Cross Ambulance Station.

As well as J’enae, they included paramedics Rebecca Gent and Simon Fitzgerald and Clinical Team Manager Emily Reeson. Paramedic Erin Savage and advanced paramedics Joseph Steer and Rory Saggers were also part of the life-saving team.

Tony said: “Meeting the paramedics was very emotional because I wouldn’t be here without them. I don’t remember anything about that day, but I do know I had the best care. They reached me quickly and saved my life.”

J’enae, said: “We rarely find out what happens to a patient after they leave our care – and almost never get to meet them, so seeing Tony looking so well is very special.

“And sadly, most people in cardiac arrest do not survive but Tony was getting good CPR when I arrived, we got a defibrillator on him quickly and we took him to a specialist hospital for further treatment.”

Second brush with death

During the reunion, Tony revealed it was the second time he had nearly died. At 19, he was involved in a serious motorcycle crash near Embankment. He suffered traumatic injuries and his heart nearly stopped.

But it was his latest brush with death that inspired his family to learn lifesaving skills.

Tony attended the reunion with Carla and his niece Ellie Varouhakis, who coincidentally is also a paramedic at London Ambulance Service.

Family of lifesavers

Tony and Ellie have since organised lifesaving training for 21 family members – including Tony’s siblings, his children, and his nieces and nephews.

Clinical Team Manager Emily said: “It is wonderful that Tony has since gone on to learn lifesaving skills and inspired the whole family to do the same.

“Most cardiac arrests happen at home – so if you learn what to do in an emergency you could save someone you love.

“Early CPR gives patients the best possible chance of survival in the minutes before paramedics arrive, so learning these skills is one of the most important things you can do for your family.”

Support lifesaving work

The London Ambulance Charity is holding its annual London Life Hike in September to raise money to place more life-saving defibrillators in public spaces across the capital.

💚 To support the charity’s life-saving work by taking on this challenge, you can register here.

💚 London Ambulance Service is aiming to make London a city of lifesavers through its London Lifesavers campaign which provides free CPR and defibrillator training for communities, organisations and schools. You can find a free training event here.

💚 If you would like to thank someone at London Ambulance Service, you can find details here.