Three mystery heroes saved a man's life at Birmingham Airport after he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest in the pick-up car park. Alex Orchiston, 59, from Nottingham, had just returned from a holiday in Majorca with his wife Clare on October 28 last year when he rushed to meet his son Adam, who was picking them up.
Alex, a driving instructor and part-time referee who boxes three times a week, was pushing two suitcases and wearing a rucksack when he experienced chest pains and lost consciousness. Knowing his son had only 10 minutes of free parking, he hurried but collapsed at the car park entrance.
Two women and a man stepped in and took turns performing CPR on Alex. An ambulance was called, and medics rushed him to Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham. The identities of the three bystanders were never recorded.
Life-Saving Intervention
Alex recalls: "The last thing I remember before waking up in the ambulance was seeing Adam's car come off the mini roundabout. We knew we had to meet him on time, so I took both suitcases and pushed myself hard. Clare told me two women and a man stepped forward and took turns doing CPR. Their actions saved my life."
The ambulance and an air ambulance arrived quickly, and Alex received three shocks from a defibrillator, bringing him back to consciousness. He was later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he underwent a triple bypass on November 21 after tests revealed narrowed and blocked arteries. He was discharged four days later.
Search for Heroes
Now, Alex is hoping to trace the three strangers to thank them personally ahead of his 60th birthday in September. He plans a big party and is asking for donations to the British Heart Foundation instead of gifts.
"I would love it if any of the three people who helped save my life could come forward so I can thank them and invite them to the party," Alex said. "Even just a message to say how grateful we are. I know I wouldn't be celebrating 60 without their intervention."
The incident occurred at around 3:30 PM on October 28. Alex added: "We don't have a good description of them, but we think they were two women and a man."
Recovery and Gratitude
Alex has returned to refereeing junior league matches and maintains his fitness. "I feel very lucky," he said. "I enjoy working and spending time with my family. My daughter Hannah is organizing my 60th party at the hotel where she works, so it will be a special day."
The British Heart Foundation encourages people to learn CPR in 15 minutes using their free RevivR online training. Lizzie Moscardini, senior programme manager at BHF, said: "The quick thinking and ability to perform CPR of these three unknown heroes undoubtedly saved Alex's life. We hope he gets to thank them in person."
She added: "Tragically, there are over 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year in the UK. Quick CPR and defibrillation can mean the difference between life and death. Every minute without CPR decreases survival chances by up to 10 percent."
