A WOMAN is searching for the man who saved her husband’s life to tell him she is forever grateful for his actions.
Bryan Lindley, 68, was shopping last Tuesday when he suffered a stroke outside Boots in the town centre.
His wife, Sue Lindley, of Lundhill Road said her husband had never suffered with any sort of illness previously and he didn’t believe he was having a stroke.
She said: “He just thought he was having a dizzy spell. Luckily there was a gentleman who immediately knew that he was having a stroke and insisted he sit down and stay still.
“He recognised the signs and ensured that my husband stayed calm while he phoned the ambulance.”
A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.
Sue said: “The doctors explained that there is only around an hour window to perform a special procedure to stop long lasting effects of a stroke and because of that man’s actions my husband will recover.”
Bryan was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield where staff administered an injection to stop clotting on the brain and then later to Leeds Hospital. He is now recovering at Barnsley Hospital where doctors and his wife Sue are confident he will make a full recovery.
Sue said: “Bryan has always been a very active and healthy man so this came as a shock.
“He is doing well, we are very positive and the medical staff are currently looking at getting Bryan rehabilitation treatment at Kendray Hospital. Thanks to the quick thinking of the mystery gentleman and the very quick response of the Ambulance Service, Pinderfields Hospital and Leeds Hospital Bryan has every chance of regaining his independence.
“We do not know your name but you have our heartfelt thanks.”
The Stroke Association, a charity dedicated to conquering strokes, has a four-step plan if you believe someone is having a stroke.
They said: “It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It’s vital to know how to spot the warning signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else. Using the FAST test is the best way to do this.
n Face: Can the person smile? Has their face fallen on one side?
n Arms: Can the person raise both arms and keep them there?
n Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say? Is their speech slurred?
n Time: If you see any of these three signs, it’s time to call 999.
“There is no way of knowing if symptoms will pass or get better when they first start, so you need to seek immediate medical help. A stroke is a medical emergency.
“Always dial 999. The quicker the person arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment.”
Are you the mystery lifesaver or do you know who he is? email editorial@barnsley-chronicle.co.uk
