A Middlesbrough grandad has been reunited with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) crew who came to his aid on Christmas Day.
Dennis Johnson, his wife Olga and daughter Laura were reunited with paramedic Megan Johnston and ambulance support practitioner Ellie Pooley at their family home in Acklam, giving them the opportunity to thank them in person for the care they received that Christmas morning.
Dennis, aged 92, had been enjoying Christmas morning with his family when he suddenly lost consciousness after an issue with his heart caused his blood pressure to drop.
Laura said: "My brother was on his way to see us, mam was getting ready and had gone into the kitchen to make dad a coffee.
“I could hear him start to breathe really heavily. I started panicking, shouted mam in, and then he became unresponsive."
Olga added: "He was slumped in the chair and was ashen white. We were screaming his name and slapping his face, but there was no response, so Laura called 999."
In 2025/26, the North East Ambulance Service answered more than 1.475 million emergency 999 and NHS 111 calls across the North East, including more than 40,444 Category 1 incidents. On average, crews reached these life-threatening emergencies in 6 minutes and 17 seconds.
Dennis' emergency was one of many incidents colleagues responded to on Christmas Day, as health advisors, dispatchers, and ambulance crews worked across the region while many families were spending the day together.
Laura's call was answered by NEAS health advisor Jessica Harvey, who quickly assessed Dennis' condition, gathered the information needed to understand what was happening and reassured the family that help was on its way, while emergency dispatcher Lisa Haddow identified and dispatched the nearest available ambulance crew.
Jessica said: "When someone calls 999, they're often experiencing one of the most frightening moments of their lives. As a health advisor, my role is to quickly understand what's happening, gather the information the ambulance crew need and keep the caller as calm and reassured as possible while help is on the way.”
Dennis' emergency was assessed as a Category 1 (C1) incident: the most serious and life-threatening category of ambulance response.
Just four minutes after Laura's call, Ellie and Megan arrived at the family's home. Over the next 40 minutes they assessed, treated, and stabilised Dennis before taking him to The James Cook University Hospital.
Throughout the incident, Ellie remained alongside Olga and Laura, offering reassurance while Megan focused on Dennis's treatment.
Megan, based at Stockton station, said: "It was our first job of the morning and it came through as a Category 1, unconscious and noisy breathing. When we got there, Dennis was sat slumped in his chair in the living room with a reduced level of consciousness. His blood pressure had dropped and he wasn't responding.
"We managed to cannulate him and give him fluids to bring his blood pressure back up. Once he'd come round, we took him to hospital to try and find out why his blood pressure had dropped. We knew there was obviously something going on with his heart.
"It was lovely to see them all again. As soon as we walked in, I remembered the house and it's so nice seeing him look so well. You sort of get used to these jobs, doing it every day, but for families it's not normal; it's terrifying for them.
"I've worked for the service for nearly three years and this is the first time I've been able to see a patient again. It's really nice to get a thank you, we don't get them often."
Ellie, who is based at Middlesbrough station, said: "It's so nice to see them again in better circumstances where everyone is relaxed and where Dennis looks so well."
Looking back on the day, Laura said: "Before we even had chance to do anything, the ambulance crew were there. It wasn't just the care they gave my dad. They looked after all of us too. They were so caring and reassuring during the worst moment of our lives. They saved my dad's life, and we'll be forever grateful. We just can't thank them enough."
Olga said: "It was the worst day of my life. You don't realise what a marvellous job they do until you need them. Right from making the call through to the girls coming, they were all absolutely fantastic, they really are Angels of the North."
Dennis added: "I'm doing OK now, although it's actually happened again four times since. I just can't thank them all enough."
Dennis has since returned home to Olga. Having recently celebrated 53 years of marriage, they continue to enjoy time with their three children, five grandchildren and great-grandchild.
"It's really rewarding to know Dennis has recovered,” added Jessica, who was sadly unable to join the reunion. “We don't often find out what happens after a call ends, so hearing stories like this reminds you why the role is so important."
The family's appreciation didn't end with the reunion. They also nominated Ellie, Megan, Jessica and Lisa for the Patients' Choice Award at this year's NEAS Staff Awards in recognition of the care, compassion and teamwork they experienced on Christmas Day.
Nominations for the service’s next awards in 2027 are open now. Submit your nomination by visiting: https://