A FLOOD campaigner helped save a man's life when she spotted he was having a heart attack after listening to Jeremy Vine.

Mary Long-Dhonau had been listening to Jeremy Vine and Dr Sarah Jarvis on the radio as they discussed the symptoms of a heart attack.

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Little did she imagine that, within an hour of listening to the BBC Radio 2 show, all that she had just learned would help her, and others, save a man's life.

The man she only know as Dave, was helping her set up at a conference when she noticed he was exhibiting one of the symptoms and insisted an ambulance be called.

Worcester News: VITAL: Mary Long-Dhonau with the Flood Mobile. She realised something was wrong after listening to Jeremy VineVITAL: Mary Long-Dhonau with the Flood Mobile. She realised something was wrong after listening to Jeremy Vine

Mrs Long-Dhonau, previously of Worcester but now of Ledbury, believes it was the information provided on the show and the response of others present at the conference that saved his life.

The next time she spoke to Dave, he had just come out of an operating theatre after having three stents fitted. 

She publicly thanked Mr Vine on Twitter and he responded, saying 'incredible'.

 

The 58-year-old, previously of Diglis, Worcester, had been setting up her flood mobile with the help of her driver, Dave, at the Flood and Coast conference and exhibition at The Telford International Centre in Telford yesterday (Monday).

Worcester News: 'INCREDIBLE': Jeremy Vine was glad the show had provided information which helped save a life. Photo: Lauren Hurley, Press Association 'INCREDIBLE': Jeremy Vine was glad the show had provided information which helped save a life. Photo: Lauren Hurley, Press Association

Mrs Long-Dhonau said Dave was helping set up the display, which is quite a complex procedure, when he told her 'I feel faint'.

"I said, you're not having a heart attack are you, because that is one of the symptoms?'

He was saying 'don't be so stupid'.

"He would not have it that he was having a heart attack. He thought at one point I was overreacting," said Mrs Long-Dhonau.

Worcester News: QUICK: Mary Long-Dhonau reacted swiftly to the symptoms. Rapid action is considered vital when someone is suffering a heart attackQUICK: Mary Long-Dhonau reacted swiftly to the symptoms. Rapid action is considered vital when someone is suffering a heart attack

She said he told her he would 'go to the doctor in the morning'.

He became clammy, weary and began to suffer chest pain.

Mark Arrowsmith, of Watertight international, then called an ambulance.

"I had just listened to Jeremy Vine and I knew it was a heart attack. If we had not been listening I would not have known all the symptoms," she said.

The flood resilience campaigner and mum-of-five said calling an ambulance 'probably saved his life'. 

She said Dave had since thanked those who helped him after coming out of theatre, telling her he had had three stents fitted and was having two more.

 

 

 

 

Dr Sarah Jarvis also reacted to the story.

She responded on Twitter to say: "Obviously I wouldn't wish a heart attack on anyone but how amazing that you were there, knew the signs to look out for after my discussion with Jeremy Vine and were able to get them emergency help. Rapid action saves lives - well done you!"