Chris Towers, 67, from Ledbury in Herefordshire, was preparing to travel through Birmingham Airport when his life changed in an instant.
While sitting in the departure lounge in April 2025, Chris suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed in front of his wife, Libby. Over the following moments, his heart stopped multiple times as emergency responders fought to save his life.
Libby later described the traumatic experience as watching her husband “die several times”.
Thanks to the actions of a police officer and two medics who immediately began CPR and emergency treatment, Chris was repeatedly revived as his heart stopped on four or five occasions before he was eventually stabilised and taken to hospital.
Months later, still coming to terms with what had happened, Libby chose to share their story publicly to encourage others not to ignore the importance of heart screening.
“I’d urge anybody to take up this wonderful opportunity offered by Calon Hearts,” she said.
The experience led Libby herself to book a heart screening with Calon Hearts, determined to set an example for others and raise awareness of the importance of checking heart health before symptoms appear.
Their story became especially significant for Calon Hearts as the charity expanded its screening programme into England for the first time, holding screening sessions at Ledbury Rugby Football Club.
Chris and Libby’s experience is a powerful reminder that cardiac arrest can happen suddenly and without warning, even during ordinary moments of everyday life.
At Calon Hearts, stories like theirs reinforce why access to heart screening, CPR training and defibrillators matters so much. Quick-thinking members of the public, access to emergency care and the confidence to act in those critical first moments can make the difference between life and death.
Chris and Libby’s story is a powerful reminder that cardiac arrest can happen suddenly and without warning and why knowing CPR, having access to defibrillators and understanding your heart health matters so much.
If you would like to find out more about heart screening through Calon Hearts, learn CPR or support the charity’s work helping communities across Wales and beyond, visit the Calon Hearts website at calonhearts.org
