Home   Stamford   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Army Major who collapsed at Rutland Water Parkrun at relaunch of defibrillator in Glaston




“The reason I’m alive today is because of a defibrillator.”

That was the startling message from 33-year-old Samuel Payne, who collapsed near the finish line of Rutland Water Parkrun in July.

He was speaking to guests at the relaunch of a defibrillator at The Old Pheasant pub in Glaston.

At the relaunch of the defibrillator in Glaston are, from left, Martin Fagan, Col Robert Boyle, Sian Block, Samuel Payne, Judith George, Geoff Thompson and Ian Balmer
At the relaunch of the defibrillator in Glaston are, from left, Martin Fagan, Col Robert Boyle, Sian Block, Samuel Payne, Judith George, Geoff Thompson and Ian Balmer

The defibrillator, originally purchased through the Karen Ball Fund, has been relocated outside the pub, at the request of Dr Judith George who moved to the village about a year ago and learned that no-one was trained to use it.

As founder chairman of The Resuscitation Council, which develops guidelines, delivers courses and supports research, defibrillator training is something Dr George feels passionately about.

She worked with members of Glaston Parish Meeting, including chairman Ian Balmer, to have it relocated from the village hall, which is tucked away in Church Lane, to the pub - a more prominent location.

Samuel Payne speaks to guests at the relaunch of the defibrillator at The Old Pheasant pub in Glaston
Samuel Payne speaks to guests at the relaunch of the defibrillator at The Old Pheasant pub in Glaston

This relocation and training in the life-saving equipment’s use was supported with funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy funding and Rutland County Council.

A 90-minute training session will take place on Sunday, October 16, at 6pm at the village hall, led by Martin Fagan, of the Community Heartbeat Trust. Anyone is welcome to go along and learn the key skills.

Martin told guests at Tuesday’s event that it was important for people to learn the “chain of survival”, including chest compressions, to have the best chance of saving someone’s life after a cardiac arrest.

Samuel also shared his story of how his life was saved thanks to the fast actions of fellow runners at the Parkrun, in which he “felt healthy” and was expecting to achieve one of his best finishing times before the collapse.

Drawing laughter from those gathered, the army major said he had even parked at Whitwell to run to the start line in Normanton “because it was only a 5km run”, adding: “I’m not Usain Bolt but I am not unfit.”

While runners, including a nurse, set about chest compressions, a cyclist retrieved a portable defibrillator from the finish line.

“The ECG data from the defibrillator shows I had no pulse until it was used, so it was absolutely the thing that saved my life,” he said.

Sian Block, the former national programme director of the Community Defibrillator Programme, was invited to cut the ribbon on the defibrillator, along with Col Robert Boyle, from Leicestershire and Rutland St John Ambulance, and the High Sheriff of Rutland Geoff Thompson.



Comments | 0
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More