A 12-month trial – where defibrillators will be carried in 10 police vehicles across The Hills Shire – has begun as a toddler reunites with the emergency services personnel who saved her life earlier this year.
When two-year-old Lily, who has a pre-existing heart condition, appeared to have a seizure in her car-seat, her mum, Sam, pulled over on Gilbert Road at Castle Hill and called Triple Zero (000).
Lily soon stopped breathing and after her heart stopped, her mum commenced CPR on the nature strip under the guidance of the Triple Zero operator.
Within minutes, Highway Patrol officers, Senior Constable Ziedan and a second officer, arrived and took over CPR with the assistance of Sergeant Underwood from The Hills Police Area Command.
After performing CPR for almost 30 minutes on the roadside, officers felt Lily breathing. She was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics along with the critical care team from the CareFlight helicopter before she was taken to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Lily has since made a full recovery and – along with her family – have reunited with these same officers.
Her parents, Sam and Lewis McGowan, have thanked police and emergency services for saving their little girl's life.
"In what was the worst 30 minutes of my life, it was a huge relief to see The Hills police officers arrive to help.
"They worked together to keep Lily alive until the paramedics arrived. We will be forever grateful for what they did for our beautiful daughter and our family," Sam said.
Ahead of World Heart Day on Thursday (29 September 2022), The Hills Police Area Commander, Superintendent Darrin Batchelor, said this incident demonstrates emergency service agencies will not hesitate to respond in life-threatening situations.
"It is the reality of policing that officers will be called to unfolding emergencies – including those where medical assistance is required. On this occasion, the actions of these officers may have saved Lily's life," Supt Batchelor said.
We now have defibrillators in first response vehicles at The Hills Police Are Command that will enhance the vital first-aid treatment officers can provide before medical assistance arrives."
NSW Ambulance Inspector Brian Parsell welcomed the trial, saying defibrillators can be the difference between life and death.
"Only 12 percent of people that have a cardiac arrest in NSW walk out of hospital. More lives could be saved if bystanders "call- push- shock" – call Triple Zero, start chest compressions and shock with a defibrillator," Inspector Parsell said.
Police are sharing this message to raise awareness about the importance of first aid in the initial and critical minutes of a heart-related medical episode.
