Cardiac arrest rail passenger says 'thank you' to staff in Reading
He tells them it's good to be alive
Last updated 20th Feb 2026
On 14 September 2025 Ian Drewry suffered a cardiac arrest on a train from Swindon to London. Ian survived thanks to Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) administered by a doctor who was on the train, quick action by the Great Western Railway (GWR) train staff and Network Rail control and station staff, and a rapid response by South Central Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SCAS) and Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) crews to Reading railway station.
On Wednesday 18 February 2026 Ian returned to Reading railway station to meet the crews from SCAS, TVAA, GWR and Network Rail to thank everyone involved in the incident.
“It’s good to be alive!” said Ian. “Thank you for all the excellent care I received from everyone, including the people behind the scenes. You were instrumental in saving my life, and if it wasn’t for you all I wouldn’t be here today.”
Ian was able to meet some of the SCAS team that responded on the day, including Team Leader Chris Darley, Paramedics Amy Dowd, Roli Erewa, and George Ranola, Emergency Call Taker Samuel Woods and Emergency Operations Centre Team Leader Lily Robinson, along with Critical Care Paramedic Joe Epton from TVAA.
Team Leader Chris Darley said “It was great to see Ian today, and lovely that he wanted to make the time to thank everyone involved in his care. It was a large and complex operation for us, TVAA, GWR and Network Rail, and we are all delighted that it has had such a positive outcome for Ian. I’m proud of all the team from SCAS who worked together brilliantly on the day to give him the best chance of a good recovery.”