Brave London Gatwick Staff Save Passenger’s Life with On-Site Training

A team of dedicated London Gatwick staff were thanked by a passenger for saving his life after he went into cardiac arrest at the airport. Eddie Barnes, who experienced the incident on October 24 at 4.20am, recently met with the team to express his gratitude.

Quick Response Saves a Life

Eddie Barnes was passing through London Gatwick’s North Terminal security area when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. A total of 12 staff members from security, passenger operations, and the London Gatwick Fire Service responded immediately, providing life-saving CPR for over 15 minutes and using a defibrillator to restart his heart before he was transported to the hospital.

“The cardiac arrest that I suffered must be the most profound experience for myself and those close to me and yet had the team at London Gatwick not successfully applied CPR, I would never have known a thing about it,” said Eddie Barnes.

Training That Makes a Difference

All passenger operations staff at London Gatwick are trained in first aid, including CPR. Firefighters from the on-site fire service are trained as advanced immediate emergency care responders, offering a higher level of medical care.

Scott Ronaldson and Przemyslaw Karpicki were among the first to respond to the incident. Scott Ronaldson recalled the moment they realized the severity of the situation:

“When we got to Eddie we noticed he wasn’t breathing. I tore his shirt off and commenced CPR with my colleague Przemyslaw until the rest of our team came with a defibrillator.”

Przemyslaw Karpicki added:

“At that moment, during CPR, I wasn't thinking about my feelings, I was focused entirely on helping Eddie. But when I got home at the end of my shift, the reality hit me. Together with my colleagues, we did something incredible. We gave someone a chance to live, and that feels incredibly special.”

A Grateful Reunion

Eddie Barnes has since made a full recovery and recently met with the staff who saved his life to thank them personally. During his visit, he was taken to the airport’s airside fire station for a tour of the facilities and to catch up with those involved.

London Gatwick’s Commitment to Safety

London Gatwick’s Passenger Operations Support responded to 2,832 first aid calls last year, ranging from cardiac arrests to managing queues. This incident underscores the value of the rigorous first aid training provided to staff.

“Thanks to the training we receive from the London Gatwick Fire Service we are well prepared for these circumstances and feel comfortable even in the worst cases,” said Scott Ronaldson.

London Gatwick continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its passengers, ensuring staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to medical emergencies.