What started as a wonderful evening at the spectacular Kynren performance “An Epic Tale of England”. This show is packed with history, time travel and exactment based at the wonderful site in Bishop Auckland. For Brian attending the show with his wife Elaine, the evening took an unexpected and frightening turn when he suddenly became unwell midway through the show.
Thankfully, he was quickly assessed by the CIPHER Medical onsite team, supported by local first aiders and quick thinking volunteers from Kynren. The Kynren Team identified the issue and supported Brian and his wife. The care was then handed over to Paramedic Sandy and Emergency Care Assistant Nicola were close by and responded immediately as part of the robust onsite medical provision.
Often working quietly in the background, the medical team is rarely seen but when needed, care is available almost instantly. Brian received prompt treatment by CIPHER and Kynren volunteers, and the team swifly transferred him into their ambulance for further assessment before transporting him to James Cook University Hospital for specialist care, as he was suffering a myocardial infarction (heart attack).
During the journey, Brian went into cardiac arrest. Sandy and Nicola immediately began advanced life-support, delivering lifesaving defibrillation, which was successful, and Brian quickly regained consciousness. Brian suffered a further episode of cardiac arrest on route and again immediate care was given by the crew and another successful shock was delivered. An arrival at the cardiac centre at James Cook, he was handed over and supported by a specialist team.
Brian’s wife Elaine noted “Everything happened so quickly. Brian became unwell was cared for quickly by the excellent onsite volunteers, medical team and CIPHER Medical, the journey to hospital was so quick with lights and sirens, and I was so grateful to Sandy and Nicola who brought Brian back to life twice”.
Although he missed the finale of Kynren, Brian says “the night will be remembered for something far more meaningful, the actions of the whole team and medical staff who saved his life”.
Last month, Brian returned to meet his lifesavers in an emotional reunion. With a smile and a warm hug, he affectionately called them his “Jolly Green Giants,” thanking them once again for their quick thinking, professionalism, and compassion.
CIPHER Medical praised the pair and the wider team for their exceptional work, and highlighted the vital importance of highly trained medical teams at large public events.
As for Brian, he’s simply grateful to still be here and he’s already planning a return to Kynren in 2026 to finally see the ending he missed.
Our CEO and Consultant Paramedic also met Brian and his wife on his visit to CIPHER and had discussions around the importance of early intervention in cases such as Brian’s. Andy stated that he was so pleased to see Brian enjoying life with his wife and how important to remember that early defibrillation is so vital to save a life. He also stated that it takes a system to save a life, and that everyone played a vital role from his wife raising the alarm, the Kynren staff getting the medical team to quickly attend, and the CIPHER Medical ambulance crew for acting fast and Brian to specialist care”.
Since his recovery, Brian has dedicated himself to fundraising for charitable causes. Most recently, he set himself a heartwarming challenge, donating £5 for every hug he receives to Embers a charity supporting young adults with incurable and terminal cancer. He saved his 99th and 100th hugs for Sandy and Nicola, resulting in a generous £500 donation to the organisation. It was special to see Brian here to meet and hug the team who helped save his life.
Kynren CEO Anna Warnecke said “I would like to pay tribute to our amazing volunteer First Aid team who provided the crucial early intervention that stabilised Brian before he was transferred to CIPHER’s ambulance crew, Their speed, skill and calm professionalism quite literally helped save his life”
Furthermore, Kynren’s Dominic McIntyre had this to say, “This was teamwork at its very highest level. Volunteers, medics and operations all worked seamlessly so Brian could go home to his family”.
