Rescued walker thanks air ambulance heroes

A retired university administrator who had a heart attack whilst walking in the Peak District is urging local people to support Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland (DLRAA) this Christmas.nnPauline Dainty says: “Without doubt the charity saved my life that day and I wouldn’t be looking forward to spending this Christmas with my six grandchildren if it wasn’t for them.”

Pauline was nearing the top of a flight of steep steps at Ashbourne Heights camp site near Fenny Bentley when she had severe chest pains. “At first I thought it was bad indigestion but it got really bad, worse than having a baby,” she says.

A member of staff at the campsite dialled 999 and a land ambulance attended the scene.nnPauline was given morphine to help ease the pain but it was vital that she got the urgent medical treatment she needed as quickly as possible and so the local air ambulance was called out to fly her to the Royal Derby Hospital, which is 17 miles away by road.

The journey would normally take about half an hour via the A52 but on this particular day there was traffic chaos around Ashbourne and the local roads were at a standstill.

“Everything happened so quickly. I had the heart attack at 2pm and by 3.30pm I was on a ward after having a stent fitted. The helicopter landed on the hospital roof, the consultant was waiting for me and did the procedure immediately. The quick treatment meant I had no long term damage and I now lead a normal life,” says Pauline.

She was kept in hospital for two days and had to take it easy for a while afterwards to recover properly. Pauline, from Nottingham, is now on regular medication and enjoys life to the full – including taking long walks in the local countryside.

“You would never know now that I had a heart attack. I thank God and the local air ambulance for saving my life. The charity receives no government funding and relies on public donations to remain operational so if you’re supporting charities this Christmas I urge you to choose DLRAA – it’s there for everybody who lives in the area,” she says.