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Life-savers honoured
The ambulance crew who saved a man's life after he fell ill at New Haw Lock have been honoured at an award ceremony.
Theo van de Kamp, 41, a Dutch tourist, was on a barge holiday in March when he collapsed with a heart attack as he tried to help his father-in-law who had fallen in the canal.
His wife Ingrid performed CPR on him with his sister Marieke, and also received an award for her actions before the ambulance crew arrived.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service team which came to help Mr van de Kamp included technician Michael Gibbons from Walton and two paramedics from Redhill, as well as a control room worker from Banstead, and they were all awarded for their work.
Mr van de Kamp, who spent just a few days in St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, after the incident, said: "An awards event such as this is so important to recognise the valuable work and achievements of ambulance staff.
"I was very lucky to have such great treatment from my wife and sister and all the ambulance and hospital staff.
"It's so special to be able to see the people who have saved your life. You couldn't have stopped us coming if the awards had been in New Zealand."
He is now back at work in Holland, and is enjoying a full and active life with Ingrid and their two sons aged five and nine.
Ingrid added: "Everything happened so quickly on the day so I couldn't remember any faces.
"My sister and I had done a first aid course so we knew what to do.
"We feel it's really important people people know how to provide CPR so we're going to be arranging courses for people to attend in Holland."
The award ceremony was held last Saturday (4) at Lingfield Racecourse.
Ingrid was given a community award and the paramedics, including Mr Gibbons, were awarded Chief Executive Commendations.
Paramedic and clinical team leader, Karl Goodall, said: "I've got a new friend in Theo and it's been great to see him recover so well.
"It was a real team effort between the control room and crews at the scene, some excellent bystander CPR from Ingrid and Marieke, and then brilliant treatment at St Peter's."
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