A 61-year-old London man was brought back from the brink of death after his heart stopped when he collapsed in his kitchen – as well as surviving a motorcycle crash years prior
An East London man who survived a devastating motorcycle crash as a teenager and later had his heart stop twice during a cardiac arrest has spoken about cheating death three times.
Tony Walsh, 61, collapsed on the kitchen floor of his Wanstead home in November 2025 after spending several busy days working on a DIY project. His partner, Carla, discovered him unresponsive and shouted for help in panic. Their gardener, Alan, heard the commotion from outside, immediately called 999 and began performing CPR.
Within four minutes of the emergency call, London Ambulance Service paramedic J’enae Watts arrived and took over Tony’s care. She applied a defibrillator and delivered a shock to restart his heart.
As additional ambulance crews reached the scene, Tony’s condition remained critical. A second shock briefly restored a normal heart rhythm before he suffered another cardiac arrest. He then required two more shocks before responding positively and beginning to breathe independently.
The dramatic rescue gave Tony a fighting chance of survival in circumstances where the odds are often stacked against patients. Fewer than one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Tony said that it was the second time he had narrowly escaped death. At the age of 19, he was involved in a serious motorcycle crash near Embankment and suffered traumatic injuries that left his heart close to stopping.
“It was terrifying,” said Carla. “When the paramedics arrived, I felt an immediate sense of relief – they were so calm and so focused. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for Tony and for me.”
Tony was taken to a specialist cardiac hospital, where he was fitted with an internal defibrillator. After spending five weeks in hospital, he was able to return home.
Six months later, he was reunited with some of the clinicians who saved his life, including J’enae Watts, paramedics Rebecca Gent and Simon Fitzgerald, and Clinical Team Manager Emily Reeson. Paramedic Erin Savage and advanced paramedics Joseph Steer and Rory Saggers were also part of the team involved in his care.
The reunion was particularly emotional for Tony, who has little memory of the incident itself.
“Meeting the paramedics was very emotional because I wouldn’t be here without them,” he said. “I don’t remember anything about that day, but I do know I had the best care. They reached me quickly and saved my life.”
J’enae said the outcome was especially meaningful given the low survival rates associated with cardiac arrest. “We rarely find out what happens to a patient after they leave our care – and almost never get to meet them, so seeing Tony looking so well is very special,” she said.
“And sadly, most people in cardiac arrest do not survive but Tony was getting good CPR when I arrived, we got a defibrillator on him quickly and we took him to a specialist hospital for further treatment.”
His latest brush with death has since inspired a lasting family legacy. Together with his niece Ellie Varouhakis, who is also a paramedic with London Ambulance Service, Tony organised lifesaving training for 21 relatives, including his siblings, children, nieces and nephews.
Clinical Team Manager Emily Reeson said the family’s response highlights the importance of CPR training.
“Most cardiac arrests happen at home – so if you learn what to do in an emergency you could save someone you love,” she said.
“Early CPR gives patients the best possible chance of survival in the minutes before paramedics arrive, so learning these skills is one of the most important things you can do for your family.”
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
