Firefighter reunited with paramedics who saved his life

A firefighter who has defiantly recovered from his own cardiac arrest and the tragic death of his beloved fiancée isinstalling life-saving devices outside fire stations.

And this week, Essex firefighter Nick Walton met the London Ambulance Service paramedics who resuscitated him – Chloe McGorlick and Katherine Jones – to say thank you.

Tragically Nick’s partner of 37 years, Nicola Bacon, died from a cardiac arrest only eight weeks before he suffered a cardiac arrest and survived.

Nick and Nicola met in 1986 when they were both 19 and had just moved to London as young civil servants.

In 1991, Nick proposed to Nicola in front of Cinderella's Castle in Disneyland Florida. Following Nicola’s recovery from cancer, they felt that their love was so strong that they remained engaged until she passed away.

Nick said: “When Nicola passed away I was on my own and I felt really low. She was only 56 and it was completely out of the blue.

“She was the love of my life. She was my drive to return to the frontline as a firefighter and get more defibrillators out into the community.

“I’m doing this to keep her memory alive.”

Nick, who lives in Waltham Abbey, was cycling to work in Chingford when he unexpectedly collapsed. Ambulance clinicians Chloe and Katherine arrived on scene quickly and took him to St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

Nick added: “I only remember getting on my bike and then woke up in hospital with my brother and my boss at the end of my bed.”

Following various cardiac interventions, a course of cardiac rehabilitation and spurred on by his own determination, Nick returned to operational duties in five and a half months with a renewed drive to help others within the county of Essex. 

Katherine Jones, Paramedic at London Ambulance Service, said: “It’s such a privilege to meet Nick and see that he is doing so well.

“Installing defibrillators is an honourable way to pay tribute to Nicola. She would be so proud of his incredible efforts to care for his community.

“When someone goes into cardiac arrest, rapidly getting defibrillator pads and providing a shock if indicated in those first few moments before the ambulance service arrives is crucial for survival.”

Working with colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Nick has raised funds to install nine defibrillators to be placed outside of fire stations in Essex, adding to those already available.

Nick, who is doing the Chiltern 50km Ultra challenge to fundraise for defibrillators outside every fire station in Essex, added: “The initial nine is just the start. Each of these defibrillators will have a picture of Nicola along with a dedication to her.

“It’s important that our local communities know that there will always be an accessible defibrillator for use outside their fire station.”

Karl Edwards, Director of Digital and Infrastructure at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Nick has shown remarkable courage and determination. To experience such personal loss and then channel that into something that will protect others is truly inspiring.

“These defibrillators are a fitting tribute to Nicola and will give people across Essex the best possible chance in an emergency. As a Service, we are proud to support Nick and the positive difference he is making in our communities.”

You can support Nick's fundraising by clicking here