Why we fly

Ben’s Story

An ordinary day at the office ended with Ben Linnett fighting for his life.

Ben Linnett, Warwickshire

When Ben Linnett married his fiancée Kirsty in the summer of 2014, it was a day neither of them expected to see. Four years earlier, Ben was at work when he collapsed suddenly. Aged just 21, he had suffered a heart attack. He was sitting at his computer when he just collapsed in his seat. There were no theatrics or warning signs. One minute he was conscious – the next he wasn’t. When they saw what was happening, Ben’s colleagues quickly began CPR and called 999.

Our air ambulance joined the police and land ambulance within minutes of receiving the call.

Our critical care paramedics continued with CPR and used a defibrillator to deliver a shock to Ben’s heart, to get it back into a normal rhythm. We then gave him advanced life support including specialist cardiac drugs to stabilise his condition. Once he was stable enough, our crew carefully placed him on a stretcher, rushed him to the helicopter and flew him to Coventry and Warwick University Hospitals, where he was put on life support.

To this day he doesn’t know why he had a heart attack at such a young age. But four years on, we’re so pleased to see him happily married and enjoying life.

“When I started to come back around, the paramedics who helped me came to visit me in hospital, which I think was really kind. I am so grateful for their skills and compassion. My experience made me realise that it could all be over in a second and I feel thankful for every moment I have. I’m so grateful to the air ambulance guys. Without them, I don’t know if I’d still be here.

If you don’t need something, then it goes to the back of your mind and isn’t a priority. But you realise how important it is when it happens to you.”
– Ben

Approximately 20% of their rescue missions every year are for medical emergencies like heart attacks and strokes. Time is crucial in these medical emergencies – every second really does count.

With your support, we can help more people like Ben.