Lifesavers reunited with North Yorkshire woman they rescued after heart attack drama

Helen McBain, 55, collapsed in Aberdeen Walk, Scarborough town centre, on Saturday July 9 before Michelle Ireland and Louise Harwood carried out lifesaving first aid on her.

The passersby, who happened to be workers at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, carried out chest compressions on her for more than an hour.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance arrived at the scene and rushed her to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Ms McBain suffered further heart attacks in the air ambulance but miraculously survived the ordeal.

Having been reunited with Ms Harwood in Scarborough today, she said: “I don’t think it’s all fully really hit me.

“By rights I shouldn’t be here and I’ve been given a second chance, and hopefully I will be alright.”

She added: “I’m just grateful that they were there. They helped me as much as they could.”

Ms McBain is now back on her feet and is hoping to make a full recovery.

In another gesture of thanks, she plans to hold a fundraiser in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in a few weeks.

Ms Ireland said: “Louise and I are really quite shocked that she has survived, especially in the community as it’s quite unheard of.

“I think she was one tough lady and Louise and I were determined not to give up.”