Clive’s Story

I never imagined I’d need to use CPR - let alone on my husband... we can’t thank the crew enough for what an awesome job they did. Between us all, we saved Clive’s life .

Kelly, Clive's wife

What started as just another day at work for 54-year-old Clive Wheeler turned into a race against time to save his life — with the help of The Air Ambulance Service charity.
On the morning of 02 August 2024, Clive and his wife Kelly were going about their usual routine at Field Sport UK, their family-run outdoor activity centre nestled within 26 acres of the National Forest in Lount, Leicestershire.

By mid-morning, Clive began feeling discomfort while using a chainsaw. Thinking it was indigestion, he went into the office to rest. At 11:40 am, Kelly returned to the office and immediately knew something was wrong. Clive appeared grey, had been sick, and still complained of indigestion. Trusting her instincts, Kelly dialled 999.

While on the call, Clive suddenly went into cardiac arrest — he had no pulse and wasn’t breathing.

Without hesitation, Kelly began performing CPR, while a colleague rushed to retrieve the on-site defibrillator. Within 10 minutes, a land ambulance arrived, followed closely by the air ambulance helicopter.

On board were Critical Care Paramedic Karl Bexon and Dr Matt Harris, who delivered emergency treatment and quickly diagnosed a heart attack as the cause of Clive’s cardiac arrest. Their intervention stabilised him for transfer to Royal Derby Hospital, where he received a life-saving stent. Incredibly, Clive was discharged just five days later, and he had a second stent fitted in September 2024.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Kelly said: “I never imagined I’d need to use CPR — let alone on my husband. We are incredibly lucky to have had a defib on-site, and that both the land and air ambulance crews were close by that day. We can’t thank the crew enough for what an awesome job they did. Between us all, we saved Clive’s life — a sentence I never thought I would say.”

Clive added: “I still can’t believe what happened that day. In the blink of an eye, my life ended — and luckily for me, Kelly and my colleague acted quickly and helped bring me back. I received amazing care, and I’m feeling so much better now.”

A spokesperson for The Air Ambulance Service said: “The quick actions of Kelly and her colleague, and their foresight to have a defibrillator on-site, meant our medical team could reach Clive and stabilise him in time to get him to hospital.

“It’s important to remember that air ambulance services are charities — we don’t receive NHS funding and rely entirely on public donations to continue delivering critical care for people like Clive when it matters most.”