A lady who retired to the Isle of Wight but had to cut her dream move short when an emergency cardiac condition arose out of the blue, has praised Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance ahead of a busy Christmas period.
Sue Allen, who was 59 at the time, and her husband Rob, 63, had "always wanted to live by the sea." So, in 2013, the couple set sail for the Isle of Wight to enjoy their retirement.
But their lives were flipped upside down when, on a sunny afternoon in June 2019, Sue began feeling “dreadful.”
“We were having the time of our lives – living the dream, you could say,” said Sue. “I started passing out – I was even passing out in my sleep.”
Concerned for his wife, Rob called for an ambulance. The paramedics immediately knew Sue had severe heart block and needed urgent care.
Sue was blue-lighted by road to St Mary’s Hospital, fifteen miles from her home, but it quickly became clear that she needed to be taken to the cardiac unit at Queen Alexandra’s Hospital, Portsmouth.
Sue was stabilised and loaded onto the helicopter and readied for the flight across the Solent.
“When they took me up to the Helipad, I had to keep my eyes closed because of how high up we were.
"In the helicopter the paramedic put headphones on me so she could talk to me during the flight. As I was so scared she held my hand, which was just wonderful.”
Sue had an emergency surgical procedure to insert a pacemaker which undoubtedly saved her life.
After her life-threatening medical emergencies, the couple moved to Fleet be closer to family, friends and nearer to major hospitals.
Sue loves Christmas and is looking forward to spending time with her family of twin sons, daughters-in-law and twin grandchildren, plus step-children and extended family.
She said:
“The Air Ambulance crew were like my knights in shining armour — they made me feel completely safe. Without them, who knows if I would have been here today?
Doctors, dispatchers, pilots and paramedics from the life-saving charity have so far responded to more than 1,500 call-outs this year. Each call-out costs on average £3,320.
People wanting to support the charity can make a monthly donation online.
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
