'Without BTP I probably wouldn't be here any more'

"I wasn't prepared to die," says Jean Claude Leroux, reflecting on the moment he collapsed in cardiac arrest at Euston station in February.

The 67-year-old, who goes by Claude, was saved by a team of British Transport Police (BTP) officers and an off-duty nurse who administered CPR and a defibrillator shock to restart his heart.

"I never would have thought this would happen to me. But it happens, even if you don't want it," Claude said.

"I'm very grateful that they saved my life. They did an amazing job, they revived me and I am still alive. Without them I probably wouldn't be here any more."

Claude said in the moments leading up to his collapse, he could feel his heart "beating quite rapidly" as he rushed to catch a train.

"I checked my train time and the light went out. I collapsed," he said.

Claude added that he was "delighted" to be reacquainted with the people who saved his life.

"They were so confident in using [the defibrillator]. I only needed one shock and it started my heart beating again."

Sgt Ben Hawkins was one of the BTP officers who intervened when Claude collapsed.

"I found Claude in cardiac arrest," he said. "I started CPR immediately - 45 seconds from him dropping to the floor was when I first started chest compressions."

Hawkins said he, along with colleagues and the off-duty nurse, administered a shock via the defibrillator.

"It was fantastic," he said. "We felt for a pulse and we saw Claude was actually breathing again. Remarkable, absolutely remarkable.

"The defibrillator is exactly what saved his life. Early defibrillation and early CPR get the heart pumping again.

"We're really lucky to be able to bring him back."

He then joined Claude as he was transferred to UCL Hospital, which is on the same road as the railway station.

"Even the consultants and paramedics were so amazed at what had happened," Hawkins added.

The police sergeant added that he was happy to see Claude "looking so fit and well" a few months on from his collapse.

As for Claude, he said he was resolved to "enjoy my life" adding, "no more worries - if I want to go away, I will go away.

"I'm so delighted I can be here, alive again."

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