'Miracle' in church when organist saved church warden's life after cardiac arrest

Nestled in the hamlet of Painters Forstal, the Anglican Catholic village church and its congregation have always punched above their weight. Claiming the grand title of Cathedral Church of St Augustine of Canterbury, because of its Bishop’s chair, it is also now the site of a modern miracle. For, one Sunday this summer, in St Augustine’s tearoom, the organist Matthew Schellhorn, 49, a concert pianist, saved the church warden 83-year-old Laurence Mead’s life when he went into cardiac arrest. With fewer than one in 10 people surviving out of hospital cardiac arrests, according to the British Heart Foundation, Laurence’s family have dubbed him the ‘miracle man.’ Recalling the drama, Matthew says: “It was a Sunday just like any other - until it wasn’t. “Laurence collapsed out of the blue and people began to panic. He was unconscious on the floor. At first, everyone froze, but then I realised I was the person who actually knew what to do. I had done CPR training with St John Ambulance some time ago, but never actually thought it would come in handy." Springing into action, Matthew performed chest compressions on his stricken friend, who had stopped breathing. He says: “I got down on the floor and began performing CPR. Someone had brought in the defibrillator, which had been hanging on the wall outside, so I attached the pads and followed the instructions.” Matthew’s efforts kept Laurence alive until paramedics arrived and whisked him away to hospital for emergency surgery. An anxious 48-hour wait followed, before his family was told he would survive. The following Saturday, Laurence was sitting up in his hospital bed, thanking Matthew in person for saving his life. Matthew says: “It was very emotional. He thanked me, although I didn’t need thanking. To know that I’d saved his life was enough … and an incredible moment.” Laurence, a retired jeweller, was fit and healthy before his cardiac arrest, although he had a pacemaker for an irregular heartbeat. And he has thrown his support behind the award-winning campaign by our sister paper, The Mirror, to legally mandate and expand people’s access to defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and vehicles across the UK. Laurence says: “I don’t remember a thing. I woke up in hospital, having been in a coma for a few days, to be told I’d collapsed at church - what a to-do! The cardiac arrest came out of the blue. My granddaughter Rosie, who is 27, saw me on the floor and was scared. To wake up again in hospital and be able to give her a cuddle was everything to me. She calls me ‘miracle man’. If it wasn’t for Matthew and there being a defib nearby, it would have been curtains. I feel very very lucky.” Father-of-two, Laurence, who has two grandchildren, also thanked his community for raising money for the defibrillator, adding: “I was the first person to benefit from it.” His wife, Margaret, 80, a retired hospital hairdresser, says: “When Laurence was lying on the ground, I thought the worst. Matthew sprang into action - a real life super hero. It doesn’t bear thinking about what might have happened if he or the defib weren't there.” After spending two weeks in hospital, Laurence returned home just in time for the couple’s 60th wedding anniversary. Margaret says: “We got to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary because of Matthew and we received a letter from the King and Queen, which was such a thrill. I feel so blessed to have been given more time with Laurence. It’s a real life miracle.” Their daughter, Diane Smith, adds: “Although I’ve been trained in CPR, my mind literally went blank ,so I’m truly thankful to Matthew. “The day dad was brought out of a coma I played the song that he and mum danced to at their wedding – I Love You Because, by Jim Reeves. Mum said ‘do you remember this song?’ and he replied ‘yes’ and reached for her hand.” Huge supporters of the St John’s Ambulance, Matthew and Laurence’s family backed their Save a Life September campaign, aimed at teaching ordinary people life-saving first aid techniques to deal with cardiac arrest, choking and severe bleeding, by giving public demonstrations. The charity also makes free online guidance and videos available year-round. Laurence’s son, Damien Mead, a diocesan bishop, was with his father when he collapsed. He says: “Matthew was absolutely amazing and words simply cannot express how extremely grateful my family and I are to him. The paramedics, ambulance crews, police and even the air ambulance responded in record time. But it was unanimously agreed by all those who responded – and by the subsequent medical professionals – that it was Matthew’s quick response in starting CPR and using the defibrillator which saved my father’s life. After being brought out of his coma, Dad couldn’t resist telling me that it’s amazing what lengths he’ll go to avoid coming to church and having to listen to me preach!” Matthew addss: “Laurence came back to church this week and looked full of life. Something people don’t realise is that AED’s tell you what to do as you use them, which takes any fear or guesswork away.” And Laurence will certainly be saying a few prayers of gratitude now he’s back in action. He says: “I’ve been given a second chance. There’s no two ways about it, I owe Matthew - and the defibrillator we used to walk past without a second glance - my life.” SAVE A LIFE Open their airway: if they are unresponsive, tilt their head and lift their chin. Check for normal breathing: by looking along their chest, listening and feeling for breaths for up to 10 seconds. If not breathing normally, their heart may have stopped and CPR must be started immediately. Call for help on 999 or 112 and ask if a defibrillator (AED) is nearby. Pump: Place one hand on the centre of their chest and the other on top. Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first and interlock your fingers, keeping your fingers off their ribs. Lean directly over their chest and press down vertically about 5 to 6 cm. Release the pressure but don’t remove your hands. Give 30 compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute, the same pace as the song Stayin’ Alive. Breathe: If trained, willing and able, maintain head tilt and chin lift to give two rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. Otherwise give continuous chest compressions. Defibrillator (AED): Switch it on as soon as possible, apply the pads and follow the prompts. If someone is with you to help, keep giving chest compressions until the defibrillator is ready to use. If a shock is needed, the defibrillator will tell you what to do. Listen to the prompts. Stop chest compressions. Continue CPR: until emergency help arrives, they start breathing normally, or you’re too exhausted to continue. If someone is with you to help with chest compressions, swap over. *Since Save a Life September was re-launched by St John Ambulance in 2024, more than a million people have been shown vital first aid skills by volunteers and by accessing free online guidance. For more information visit Save a Life September