AN OFF-DUTY nurse in the right place at the right time has helped give a driver the best chance of survival after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the wheel.
A crash, involving a Ford Mondeo and Citroen Xsara, happened at 5.45pm yesterday evening (Thursday) in Ashill Road.
The nurse carried out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) at the scene and, because of that and the work of paramedics when they arrived, the 62-year-old, who was driving the Mondeo, was breathing on his own by the time he got to hospital.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “If it had not been for the actions of the nurse in those first few seconds, the man would almost certainly have died – now he has been given the best possible chance of survival.”
He added ambulance staff gave him advanced life support and continued treatment as he was taken to the A&E at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where medics had been put on standby.
He confirmed an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.
The crash, described as a ‘slow speed’ incident, involved one car coasting across the road and both vehicles sustaining damage to their fronts.
The ambulance spokesperson said it showed the importance of residents knowing CPR and basic first aid and being prepared to use those skills.
“That knowledge has given a man the best possible chance of survival after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the wheel of his car.
“Whilst the man still has a long way to go, he has been given the chance of life by someone being prepared to carry out CPR.
“Once again, this demonstrates just how important it is that everyone learns how to do CPR and has a knowledge of basic first aid.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson confirmed officers were called to the scene and added: “The 62-year-old man was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.”
The driver of a Citroen Xsara received minor injuries.
The road was closed after emergency services arrived at the scene and re-opened at 7.15pm.
