Sons save mom’s life after she has heart attack during lunch

By Isobel Williams

A pair of sons saved their mom's life after she went into cardiac arrest following Sunday lunch.

Shelly Bergh, 60, started feeling unwell after dining with her family at home in Camberwell, south London.

So she took herself to the bathroom, where she collapsed on the floor.

Luckily, brothers Harvey and Sid Bergh both knew CPR, so they started chest compressions on their mother while paramedics were called.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) crews arrived less than four minutes later and delivered five shocks to Shelly with a defibrillator.

She was then taken to the hospital, where she spent several days in the intensive care unit, and cardiologists placed a stent into her heart, and is now recovering.

Harvey, 31, had been taught CPR skills when he worked at a primary school, while Sid, 25, had studied them online.

Harvey, who now works as an undergraduate admissions specialist, said: “The moment my mum went into cardiac arrest was surreal.

“I did first aid training while I was working in a school about seven years ago. Drawing on that training, given by paramedics, was really invaluable and helped me to remain calm.

“I never thought that it would happen to us and that I’d need to use these skills. Having to do it on a family member, especially my mum, was difficult, but you never know when you need to use them.”

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Earlier this month, following her recovery, Shelly and her husband, John, 56, met the paramedics who saved her life at Oval Ambulance Station.

Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood and oxygen around the body, LAS said.

She said: “I have learnt that my two sons took turns to do chest compressions until the ambulance crews arrived. As I’m their mum, they didn’t give it a second thought.

“The ambulance crew were fantastic. I needed to go and meet them – and thank them – face to face. I know my sons did CPR, but without the ambulance crews, I wouldn’t be here.

“It was really amazing meeting the people who kept me alive.”

John, who works as a taxi driver, added: “We were so lucky that our two boys were there and knew what to do.

“And I can’t thank the paramedics enough – they were at our house so quickly and they were great.”

Emergency medical technician Emily O’Donoghue said: “It was lovely meeting Shelly and John. Shelly was the first patient I’ve been reunited with in my five years at the ambulance service.

“Her two sons acted quickly and provided very good chest compressions.

“For Shelly, that day was a normal day with Sunday lunch with her children and husband – it just goes to show, cardiac arrest can happen to anyone.

“That’s why it’s so important that Londoners sign up to become a Lifesaver and know how to use a defibrillator.”