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Biker Thanks Doctor Who Performed Roadside Heart Surgery On Him After Crash

Biker Thanks Doctor Who Performed Roadside Heart Surgery On Him After Crash

John O'Brien is seriously lucky to be alive

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A 47-year-old motorcyclist has paid tribute to a doctor who performed life-saving heart surgery on him at the roadside after an horrific crash.

Dad John O'Brien was on his motorbike in Delamere, Cheshire, when he was involved in an accident and required immediate emergency treatment.

He went into cardiac arrest as they were attempting to get him into the air ambulance, but the medical team at the scene sprang into action.

Dr Mark Forrest started pumping fluid into John and trying to restart his heart by trying to decompress it, but nothing was working.

That was when Dr Forrest decided that he'd have to operate at the scene.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

He cut open John's chest and performed open heart massage, as well as exposing his heart and lungs in order to help the internal bleeding.

Miraculously, and largely thanks to the quick thinking and actions of Dr Forrest, John's heart began beating again and he was taken by helicopter to Aintree Hospital for more surgery.

This was back in October 2018.

Now, John has made a full recovery and was even able to walk his daughter Amy down the aisle as she got married earlier this month.

An event was held to thank everyone involved in John's rescue, with particular focus on Dr Forrest, at Northwich Fire Station.

Forrest was given a special commendation by Cheshire Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin for his actions that day.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

John said: "I can't thank Dr Forrest and everyone involved enough for helping me that day and for doing everything they could to save my life.

"I was lucky enough to be able to walk my daughter down the aisle recently and that's all thanks to them."

Dr Forrest said: "I arrived at the scene and was managing another casualty, when I noticed that the team where trying to resuscitate John, who had gone into cardiac arrest.

"Despite the huge effort by the doctors, paramedics, firefighters and police officers, nothing was working and it wasn't looking good for him.

"I joined them at John's side and, after a very quick discussion, we knew that the only chance of saving this man was to open up his chest to manage his internal injuries and to massage his heart until it started beating. This is rarely successful, but we did want to at least try.

"John has undoubtedly played a big part in his own recuperation since then. He has obviously worked really hard to get to the level of fitness he is right now. It will have been a tough road to recovery so his determination is commendable."

Featured Image Credit: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Topics: uk news