New dad feared he had brain bleed and would die after collapsing at home

New dad Lewis Tolputt was at home in Redruth last November 2023 when he collapsed and came round with Cornwall Air Ambulance paramedics looking after him before he was taken to Treliske with a suspected bleed on the brain. Here he is pictured with critical care paramedic Thomas at the charity's base at Newquay airport
-Credit: (Image: CAAT)


A new dad collapsed at home and feared he was suffering from a brain bleed and was going to die. Lewis Tolputt was at home in Redruth when near-tragedy struck and only remembers a paramedic standing over him - after his wife had performed CPR to try to keep him alive.

"I felt a bit off colour," the 40-year-old business development manager for Classic Builders said. "My wife said 'you don't look too well. You're going to work from home?' I had eaten my toast and wandered down to our en-suite as I didn't feel too well and the next thing I knew I had Tom, one of the paramedics from Cornwall Air Ambulance, stood across me, saying 'you need to focus on your breathing and listen to my voice'."

Lewis, who used to work and volunteer for the life-saving charity, said the amazing care he received that day made him realise how bad his situation must have been.

READ MORE:Diners send Cornwall Indian restaurant to top among best Asian cuisine

READ MORE:Cornwall Council faces 'significant staff redundancies'

He added: "Knowing that I had the best care when I needed it the most was a huge sense of relief. But there is also the double-edge sword, having worked and volunteered for you guys (CAAT) I know that, really, the most critically ill patients in the county receive your care.

"So it was a sense of relief but also a sense of worry because I must be really ill. But with Tom, his reassuring presence was just amazing. They thought I had a suspected bleed on the brain and given the level of training that CAAT team have they were the most appropriate to call and help me. Fundamentally I must have been really ill to have warranted such an incredible resource coming to our house."

Sign up to receive daily updates and breaking news alerts from CornwallLive straight to your inbox

At the time, in November last year, Lewis' wife carried out CPR until the paramedics made it to their home in Redruth.

"Cornwall Air Ambulance made a huge difference to the outcome. I'm still here for my wife. I'm still here for my son. Thanks to your team and also the NHS ambulance crew and the team at Treliske, I'm still here. They made a huge difference.

"Our house is underneath your flight path so every time we see the helicopter or hear it, right out the window, let's have a look and point there's the helicopter. But when they're there looking after you, you feel like the world's just stopped. And it stopped for you. Because at that moment, that very split second in time, you are the priority.

"To be the priority for whatever reason and being able to be a priority, having a resource like Cornwall Air Ambulance come straight to you. And nothing else matters right now when you need it most. It's priceless. I'm so grateful."

The CAAT launched its second HeliAppeal this year to raised £2.4m towards a second helicopter. For to help or more information about the appeal, visit https://cornwallairambulancetrust.org/heli2-appeal/

⚠️ Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice⚠️