'Without help my family would be without a father'

A father-of-three who suffered a potentially fatal cardiac arrest has been reunited with the ambulance staff who helped save his life. Rob Schofield, 59, collapsed on Tooting Common while returning from a swim with his wife and friends. Quick-thinking bystanders began chest compressions while a friend called 999. A London Ambulance Service (LAS) call handler guided the bystanders through effective chest compressions until ambulance crews arrived. Paramedic Will was first on the scene and used a defibrillator to deliver an electric shock to restore the rhythm of Mr Schofield's heart. He was supported by ambulance crew members Suzie and Emma, who transported Mr Schofield to St George's Hospital, where he spent two days in intensive care. Mr Schofield has since met the paramedics at Wimbledon Ambulance Station. He said: "It was really special to meet the ambulance crews and to be able to look at them in the eye and say a heartfelt 'thank you'. Rob and Elizabeth Schofield meet the paramedics at Wimbledon Ambulance Station (Image: LAS) "The reunion was incredibly touching and all the crews are so lovely and super kind. It helped us process the trauma as a family." Mr Schofield, who used to work in humanitarian aid and now works at a care home in Fulham, said: "I'm so grateful to be alive. It was scary for my wife and also my daughters, as they shouldn't have to think about their parents dying. "Early intervention from bystanders is so important because without them my family would be without a husband and a father." Mr Schofield recently abseiled down Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with his daughter Emma to raise funds for the London Ambulance Charity. Rob Schofield and his daughter Emma with their abseil certificates (Image: London Ambulance Service) Will, the paramedic who first arrived at the scene, said: "It was lovely meeting Rob and his family. It's rare that we meet our patients, so it was a really positive experience for us and the family." His wife Elizabeth said: "Rob could so easily have died that day had it not been for the quick actions of so many people. I cannot thank them enough. They are all heroes." Money raised at the Big Stadium Abseil will directly fund defibrillators and CPR training for local communities and help frontline crews when they need wellbeing support. Samantha Palfreyman Jones, head of community resuscitation at London Ambulance Service, said: "When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second matters and those moments before an ambulance arrives are crucial for a person's chance of survival."