Donna Bates, 39, says an “incredible team” of emergency workers rescued her, along with a passing first aider – who crucially knew CPR.
After an eight-mile walk along Flamborough cliff top with two of her children near her caravan at Haven Thornwick Bay Holiday Park, Donna felt short of breath and a tightness in her chest.
Realising it was serious straightaway, Donna, from Bubwith, Yorkshire, thought she might die.
She said: “I really didn’t think I would still be alive by the time help arrived. I said goodbye to the children I had with me and asked them to tell my other children how much I loved them all.”
Thankfully, a couple appeared around the headland to help. While the woman called 999, Donna went into cardiac arrest.
The man, a trained first aider, knew he had to start CPR.
Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team played a crucial role in saving her life, too. When a six-strong team arrived they provided CPR and casualty care.
They were guided by an automated external defibrillator (AED). Fitted to all coastguard vehicles just three weeks earlier, it was the first time any coastguard team in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire had used the life-saving equipment.
“I feel very lucky,” Donna added. “The right people were in the right place at the right time.
“An incredible team of professionals saved my life. Without all their efforts I wouldn’t be here and my seven children would have lost their mum.”
As for the mystery couple who raised the alarm and gave Donna a chance, all she knows about them is their first names - Simon and Carol - and they were heading to Bempton that day.
Donna added: “I would urge anyone who doesn’t know CPR to learn. You just never know when you might need to use it.”
- Restart a Heart Day 2022 takes place on October 16, to help raise awareness of cardiac arrest and teach people CPR.
- In 2019, an amazing 291,000 people were trained in CPR through Restart a Heart Day. The aim is to teach even more people on the day in 2022.
- Stories like Donna's show what a difference CPR can make, as well as life-saving equipment and someone calling 999 promptly.
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service has further information about Restart a Heart Day 2022.
