Last updated at 14:47, Monday, 21 April 2014
A BARROW woman who suffered a heart seizure was reunited with her saviour and got the chance to say thanks to an “all round good Samaritan”.
extremely grateful Shirley Ward, left, from Walney, meets her hero Louise Eva, from Barrow, who came to her rescue when she had a heart seizure when she was walking along Hindpool Road. LINDSEY DICKINGS REF: 50062054B001
Shirley Ward, 55, of Methuen Street, Walney, became extremely short of breath and delirious while on her way to work on March 27.
Corporate care worker Louise Eva, 41, of Barrow, happened to be driving past and stopped to offer Mrs Ward help – a split-second decision that ended up saving a life.
After Mrs Ward’s recovery, the two women met face to face for a second time as they were reunited in the Evening Mail offices.
Mrs Ward was on her way to work as a cleaner at Tesco Extra, in Hindpool Road, Barrow, when her condition suddenly began to deteriorate outside Frankie and Benny’s restaurant.
Having lived for three years with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a lung disease characterized by chronically poor airflow – she was used to experiencing breathing problems.
On this particular day, however, Mrs Ward was in fact suffering a heart seizure brought on by her COPD.
Fortunately, Miss Eva, who was passing by while at work, realised that something was wrong and stopped to help, calling an ambulance and talking Mrs Ward through the situation.
Mrs Ward was taken to Furness General Hospital and treated in the intensive care unit, before being referred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s cardiac unit.
It was there that it was confirmed she did not suffer a heart attack, and she was prescribed medication for the next year to help with her COPD.
She said: “I was heading into work and my lungs just gave up. If it wasn’t for Louise I wouldn’t be here right now.
“I don’t really remember much of what happened, apart from telling her I have COPD.
“I’m just lucky that she was there to stop.”
Mrs Ward’s husband, John, was eager to discover the identity of the anonymous helper, and sent out an appeal through the Evening Mail.
Mr and Mrs Ward, and their daughter Marie Cadman, finally met with Miss Eva on Tuesday, April 15.
Mr Ward gave Miss Eva flowers, chocolates and a card.
He said: “We’re just so lucky somebody stopped to help. Our saviour.
“I just want to say thank you to Louise. I know that it isn’t a big word, but we are really grateful for what she has done.
“She’s an all around good Samaritan.”
Mrs Ward’s daughter also wanted to give thanks to the woman who saved her mother’s life.
She said: “She lives on. If it wasn’t for what Louise did my mum probably wouldn’t be here today.”
But Miss Eva is modest about her role in helping Mrs Ward.
She said: “I’m just happy that she’s alright. I didn’t do it for any reason, it was just one of those things.
“They really didn’t need to make a fuss. I’m just glad everything worked out how it did.”
First published at 14:45, Monday, 21 April 2014
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk