Edinburgh Man Saves Stranger’s Life After Roadside Collapse

Jason, an Edinburgh man, helped a stranger. The stranger, Kenny, had a cardiac arrest, on March 9, 2024, at Smoky Brae. Jason was going to a barber with his wife, Susan, when they saw a student nurse helping a man.

Jason and Susan stopped to assist, as Kenny, age 70, needed help. Jason, a medical secretary with first aid training, quickly took action. He checked Kenny’s responsiveness, finding him unresponsive at first.

Jason thought Kenny was dead. He started CPR immediately, guided via instructions from the 999 operator. Kenny wasn’t breathing at all.

Jason performed CPR for fifteen minutes while waiting for the ambulance. Someone looked for a defibrillator nearby and located one at the local fire station. Jason’s wife, Susan, encouraged him during CPR.

Jason focused on keeping blood flowing, knowing a life was on the line and that Kenny wanted to see Scotland play at the Euros. Two doctors arrived and helped before paramedics took Kenny to the hospital.

Jason does not consider himself a hero. After this event, in which Kenny was technically dead for 24 minutes, Jason and Kenny became friends. In the aftermath, Jason worried about Kenny’s condition.

Jason learned Kenny was alive at work. He visited Kenny in the ICU, and they found that they had mutual friends. Jason connected with Kenny’s wife, Anne, and they had dinner together and stayed in touch.

Jason believes others would have done the same, using their training to save Kenny’s life. The student nurse and doctors assisted, and Jason hopes someone would help him if needed.

Jason advises people to get first aid training. He’s glad people were there to help Kenny, who recovered and went to the Euros.

Kenny thanked those who saved his life. The community raised money for a defibrillator to be placed at the Logan’s Rest pub, whose landlady, Jane, knew Kenny.

Jane and Jillian, a child minder, raised funds by walking the Edinburgh Seven Hills. They raised over £2,500 and bought a defibrillator and replacement pads. They also donated to the British Heart Foundation.

A local electrician installed the defibrillator for free. Survival chances drop 10% each minute after a cardiac arrest, so CPR and defibrillators are crucial. CPR keeps blood and oxygen circulating.

A defibrillator uses electric shock to restart the heart. Early defibrillation within three minutes can greatly raise survival odds. Defibrillators aren’t used often by the public in Scotland; call 999 for defibrillator access and instructions.