Fenland man reunited with ambulance crews who saved his life during cardiac arrest
Tony Wright thanks paramedics after life-saving treatment
Last updated 3rd Feb 2026
A Fenland man has been reunited with the ambulance crews who saved his life during a major cardiac arrest at home.
Tony Wright, from Doddington, suffered a severe heart attack on the evening of 30th October last year after feeling unwell for several days. Initially suspecting a chest infection, the symptoms escalated into severe chest pain, prompting him to alert his wife, who called 999 immediately.
Kelly Thompson and Zoe Dalby, ambulance crew members, arrived at Tony’s home before he went into cardiac arrest. They began CPR and administered shocks using a defibrillator.
“One of the crew told me I was having a heart attack. It was scary, but it was good to know what was happening,” Tony said.
“She gave me two tablets and, as I was taking them, I felt my head go back – and that was it. I was gone for two minutes. When I came to, one of my sons had arrived and he was saying, ‘come back Dad’.”
Shortly after, another ambulance crewed by Chloe Taylor and Paul Barnett arrived to assist alongside Dan Read, a critical care paramedic from MAGPAS Air Ambulance.
Tony was stabilised and transported to the Royal Papworth Hospital, where doctors fitted a stent. He has since made a full recovery.
Recently, Tony visited Huntingdon Ambulance Station to personally thank the teams involved in saving his life.
Having served as a firefighter and police detective for 35 years, Tony is no stranger to emergency services but said the experience offered him new insight into their importance.
“I thought my number was up that night, I really did. But these people saved my life. It’s as simple as that,” he said.