Why it matters: The incident highlights how rapid response and teamwork between retail staff and emergency services can make the difference between life and death in medical emergencies.
The big picture: Store manager Claire Fletcher began CPR on Edward Ardern after he collapsed by the tills at Sainsbury's in Hadleigh Road in April. When police officers Kim Butler and Katharine Bloom arrived, they took over the life-saving efforts, with PC Butler continuing CPR while PC Bloom set up a defibrillator and administered one shock.
What happened next: Mr Ardern was taken to hospital by air ambulance, where he spent nine weeks recovering.
What they're saying: PC Butler said her training "just clicked in" during the emergency. PC Bloom added: "I don't think you really even think about it. You are doing your best, you're not half-heartedly doing it, you're doing absolutely everything you can"
Mr Ardern said: "I appreciate everything everybody did. If that hadn't happened, there's no way I would be alive today"
The bottom line: Thanks to the swift actions of these three women working together, Mr Ardern has made a full recovery and is now back at home with his family.
