Trio saved tourist's life at Bodiam Castle

George Bailey, the chair of 1066 Country Marketing, Janine Adams, the manager of Priory Meadow shopping centre in Hastings, and Gregg White helped to save the life of Belgian tourist last summer.

George, the operations manager for the National Trust at Bateman’s, Bodiam Castle and Monk’s House, was on duty at Bodiam Castle when Mark Gheysen, from Belgium, collapsed with a heart attack.

Janine had just arrived at the castle when she saw what was going on, and joined visitor Gregg White and George, to help the patient.

They used the defibrillator at the castle, and chest compressions, to revive Mark, who was stable when the ambulance arrived 40 minutes later.

The trio were given a public commendation by South East Coast Ambulance Service at a special event in Maidstone last Thursday (February 25).

George said: “I’d been trained in how to use the defibrillator, but wasn’t sure I’d ever have to use it. I’m so glad I was able to help, we have been told that without what the three of us did, Mark may well have not survived, or if he had, he would have been permanently disabled.

“As it was, he made a full recovery, and much to our surprise he came to the awards in Maidstone to thank us. That was a fantastic experience, and really quite humbling. It was so good to see him fully recovered. “

George thanked Janine and Gregg, adding: “They got more action than they bargained for on their visit to Bodiam, but with a really good result.”

Janine said: “I quickly realised the seriousness of the situation and had just been trained in how to use a defibrillator. I certainly hadn’t expected to use it so quickly, or at Bodiam!

“But I was very pleased to have been able to help, and honoured to receive the award at Maidstone.”

Kevin Boorman, manager of 1066 Country Marketing, said: “We encourage our partners to go above and beyond in terms of customer service, and George certainly led by example here.

“It was very fortunate too that Janine, who had just been trained how to use the defibrillator, and Gregg, an off-duty police officer, were visiting the castle at the time and were able to help.

“Thanks to their quick actions, Mark was able to return safely to Belgium and continue life as normal.”

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