76-Year-Old Thanks Paramedics and Off-Duty Doctors Who Saved His Life

A 76-year-old man has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the paramedics and off-duty doctors who saved his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest while shopping in a supermarket on Finchley Road, north-west London.

“It Came Out of the Blue”

Michael Toppin, a Hampstead resident, was recently reunited with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) teams who provided him with emergency care after he collapsed at the tills.

Recalling the terrifying moment, Michael said:

“I didn’t have any warning. It came out of the blue. I’ve had regular medical check-ups and don’t have a history of heart problems in my family.”

Fortunately, two off-duty doctors who were in the queue immediately rushed to help after hearing cries for assistance from Michael’s partner. They performed chest compressions and used a defibrillator to restart his heart before paramedics arrived within minutes.

Critical Life-Saving Response

According to London Ambulance Service, early CPR and defibrillator use can more than double a person’s chances of survival when experiencing cardiac arrest.

The ambulance crews who arrived on the scene included Chloe Hobson, Alex Evans, Emily Hurrell, Sylvia Egels, and Andy Parker. Their swift intervention ensured that Michael received urgent care before being taken to a nearby hospital.

Paramedic Chloe Hobson, who was the first on the scene, described the emotional moment of meeting Michael again:

“This is the first time I’ve met someone after we’ve treated them for a cardiac arrest. It almost brought me to tears seeing him live his best life now.

“It makes it all worthwhile and gives me goosebumps. The reunion was an important day for him but also for the crews who cared for him on the scene. It was incredibly wholesome.”

A New Lease on Life

Michael, a former creative director for ITV factual programmes, says he feels incredibly lucky to be alive, crediting his survival to the knowledge of those around him and the availability of a defibrillator in the store.

“My chances of recovery would have been very low if that hadn’t happened there and then.”

Two years after his cardiac arrest, Michael is gradually regaining his strength. He still makes regular trips to Lanzarote, his favourite place in the Canary Islands, as the climate helps him feel better.

“I’m not back to my full strength, but I’m starting to play tennis and go swimming to get my strength back. I’m alive.”

Supporting Life-Saving Initiatives

To support life-saving efforts, London Ambulance Charity is hosting its first-ever fundraising walk, the London Life Hike, on Sunday, 8 September.

20km Walk: Passes iconic London landmarks
5km Family-Friendly Route: Around Battersea Park

For more information and to register, visit London Ambulance Charity’s official website.

How You Can Help Save a Life

If someone is in cardiac arrest:
Call 999 immediately – emergency call handlers will talk you through CPR.
Use a defibrillator if available – it can double survival chances.
Get trained – London Ambulance Service offers free CPR training.

Michael’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of rapid response and CPR knowledge in saving lives.