James Ashley, 52, was shopping in Cwmbran on April 4 when he experienced a sudden wave of dizziness and collapsed. Unbeknownst to him, Sergeant Adam Hollings of Gwent Police was nearby and immediately began administering CPR and using a defibrillator to restart Ashley's heart.
Ashley reported that he "clinically died twice" before paramedics arrived, but was conscious and speaking by the time they reached him. He credits Sergeant Hollings with making the crucial difference in his survival and recovery. "The difference with Adam knowing what he was doing is that my son didn't lose his dad as a 12-year-old," Ashley stated, calling Hollings an "absolute hero, a legend."
Hollings, a 21-year veteran of the force, described his actions as being on "autopilot" due to his training, even though he was off-duty at the time. He instructed a bystander to call for an ambulance while he attended to Ashley.
Following the incident, Ashley was transported to University Hospital Wales in Cardiff, where he has since made a full recovery. The pair were reunited a week later when Hollings visited Ashley in the hospital. Hollings stated that seeing Ashley with his family was the most rewarding aspect of the event.
Sergeant Hollings was subsequently awarded a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for his actions. "We're very lucky to have the first aid training that we do, and if we can occasionally be in the right place at the right time to help people out, then fantastic," Hollings commented.
Sharon Owen, CEO of Calon Hearts, a Welsh charity focused on providing defibrillators and training, praised Hollings for his swift response. She emphasized the importance of knowing CPR and having the confidence to act in emergencies. Ashley also encouraged others to undergo first aid training, noting its profound impact not only on the individual saved but also on their loved ones.