AN Okehampton woman who suffered a heart attack while walking on Dartmoor has praised the Devon Air Ambulance for saving her life.

Jane Ingram said she would not be alive today had it not been for the air ambulance and the swift action of the paramedics and hospital staff.

The couple were half a mile from the nearest road or property when Jane became unwell recently.

Jane explained: ‘We had just come to the top of East Hill (near Okehampton) when I suddenly felt weak and faint. I managed to get to a rock and sit down, but I felt worse and worse – with sweat pouring off me, I couldn’t move and eventually I had chest pains. As we were about half a mile from the nearest road or farm, my husband rang 999.

‘As the vehicle couldn’t get to us, they sent the Air Ambulance. Luckily we were next to a fairly level field and the helicopter was able to land there.

‘The paramedics immediately suspected a heart attack so put me on a stretcher and carried me to the helicopter where they did an ECG (electrocardiogram) and that confirmed a heart attack.

‘They sent the ECG results to the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital and when I arrived there some 15 minutes later the cardiac emergency team were waiting to treat me straight away.

‘They performed an angioplasty to fit a stent in the main blocked coronary artery, which immediately unblocked it. I had another stent fitted on Thursday and came home from hospital yesterday (January 9).

She added: ‘I don’t like to think of what would have happened without the Air Ambulance! I could have died, or if not, my heart would have been severely damaged by the delay. With heart attacks, it’s really important to get treatment as soon as possible to avoid damage to the heart, or even death.

‘This has been a terrible shock, as I had always seen myself as a very active, fit and healthy person, although I am 60 years old. Apparently I have very high cholesterol, a hereditary condition.

‘My husband and I moved to Okehampton from Warwick partly because of the walking opportunities of Dartmoor and we joined the Okehampton Rambling Club, though we weren’t with them that day.

Stuart Oldham, Jane’s husband said: ‘It was quite scary to be honest, because I wasn’t sure what was wrong with Jane. It was like nothing that had ever happened on all of our many walks together over the years.

‘We were probably about half a mile from the nearest road at Lower Halstock farm and I was able to give the 999 call handler feedback on Jane’s condition and as much information as I could about our location on the hill.

‘They did send paramedics by car to the farm but I don’t think they could even see us let alone reach us so when the helicopter came into view that was a huge relief.

‘Once the helicopter landed the two paramedics swung into action and quickly diagnosed the problem and relayed that information onto the medical team in Exeter so they were ready and waiting for her by the time she arrived.’

Jane added: ‘We are just so grateful to everyone that helped — it’s worrying and makes my blood run cold to think that this vital service is run by charity!

‘I consider myself fit and healthy, I did have breast cancer a few years ago but have been walking again since to get over it. It is scary and makes me think that I shouldn’t be here really — I wouldn’t be without the air ambulance.’

‘The point of this story is not to bring attention to myself, but to the air ambulance crew and paramedics who saved my life that Sunday.

‘I’m so grateful for the wonderful care I had — the paramedics who dealt with me were marvellous, as were the medical staff at the hospital. Of course we’ll be making a donation to the air ambulance and I have contacted them to say thank you.’