QUICK-thinking volunteers and staff from the Canal & River Trust sprang into action to help save the life of a canal cyclist who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest near the historic Bingley Five Rise Locks in West Yorkshire.
The incident occurred on May 2, when 61-year-old Bingley-born resident Joost Smeele collapsed on Beck Lane, near to the historic locks.
Canal & River Trust volunteers and staff were among the first on the scene, assisting with CPR and crowd control, after being alerted by two runners who had found the cyclist unconscious and called the emergency services.
Volunteer lock keeper and trained first aider Richard Breese assisted with CPR, while Megan Darley, owner of Five Rise Locks Cafe, retrieved the automated external defibrillator (AED) by the teashop and helped use this on the cyclist before paramedics arrived.
Richard explained: “We’d just returned from helping a boat down the locks when two guys sprinted down to get hold of the defibrillator outside the cafe and asked if anyone could do CPR.
“I just dropped everything and rushed to help. This was the first time I’d done CPR for real, I went into auto-pilot mode, I just got on with it.”
Yorkshire Ambulance Service arrived on scene within minutes and took over advanced medical care, stabilising the cyclist, who suffered a further two heart attacks while travelling to Bradford Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary.
Joost said: “I’ve always been fit and healthy and never considered myself at risk of cardiac arrest. I have no recollection of the incident, but when my heart stopped, I had limited time before that became permanent. Every one of us should be confident to perform CPR and use a defibrillator if required.”
Sean McGinley, Canal & River Trust regional director, Yorkshire & North East, said: “This could have had a very different outcome if it wasn’t for the swift action of those involved.”
In November 2019 a defibrillator was installed at the Five Rise Locks Cafe thanks to support from the Canal & River Trust and funding from Mark Province of West Yorkshire. Megan Darley, who recently became the new owner of Five Rise Locks Cafe, after working at the waterside hotspot for the last 10 years, added: “I’m just so glad I could help – it’s something I’ll never forget and shows how important it is to have access to this life-saving equipment.”The incident at Bingley happened just ahead of Volunteer Week (June 2-8) which recognises the incredible work of volunteers across the UK. For details of how to get involved in volunteering by your local canal visit the Canal & River Trust website – canalrivertrust.org.uk
