Last month, a Northwood resident had the incredible opportunity to thank the men who had saved his life nearly two years earlier.
On November 16, 2023, Mal Patel (pictured centre) collapsed in London and became unresponsive. City of London Police Constables Neil Geddis (left) and Jack Watson (right) were flagged down by a member of the public and rushed to his assistance.
PC Watson began performing CPR, while PC Geddis made sure members of the public were out of the way and gathered witness information. The officers first on the scene requested a defibrillator.
Within just two minutes, the green team from the Tactical Firearms Group, who are trained in advanced medical care, arrived on the scene.
They used a defibrillator to stabilise Mal and took over CPR.
The London Ambulance Service soon arrived, and Mal was taken to hospital where he made a full recovery.
Two years later, Mal approached two firearms officers and asked them to help track down the men who saved his life.
On Friday, February 28, Mal was finally reunited with the officers.
He said: “Words can’t do justice to the gratitude that my family and I have for everything you all did for me on that day.
“Seeing you all and hearing the astonishing skills that you pull together as a team, brought home to us how truly underappreciated the force is. In us at least, you have advocates for life.”
PC Watson has been nominated for a Royal Humane Society Bravery Award, for acts of bravery in the saving of human life and also for the restoration of life by resuscitation.
The firearms officers have been nominated for a Commander’s Team Commendation, recognising the performance of a team in a manner that is significantly above what would be expected from normal day-to-day activity.
Deputy Commissioner Paul Betts said: “The exemplary action of all the officers that day is a testament to their first aid training and the advanced medical training of the firearms officers.
“I am proud of the work of our teams, from the first response officers to the firearms team. All of them sprang into action to save Mr Patel’s life.
“Our officers and officers throughout the country are doing great things like this every day and it is important to recognise them for it.
“I’m delighted to hear that Mr Patel made a full recovery and it was an honour to have him visit us.”
Photo credit: City of London police
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