By Richard Smith
The Mirror
Copyright 2006 MGN Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
Paramedic Roger Flux got an emergency call-out — to his own suspected heart attack.
The 66-year-old first aider had just fallen ill in bed with agonising chest pains.
Wife June, 57, dialled 999 and an ambulance arrived in minutes.
But moments later Roger’s bleeper went off — summoning him to his own address.
“I was in a lot of pain and it was no laughing matter at the time,” he said yesterday. “But now I can see the funny side.” Roger — a volunteer with Hampshire ambulance service for three years — had been on call that evening. He explained: “During the night I got severe pains right across my chest and jaw.
“June was concerned and called an ambulance, which arrived within a couple of minutes. But while I was being examined my pager suddenly went off.
“The message was telling me to attend a man with chest pains. Then I looked at the address — and saw it was mine.”
Grandad Roger — who turns up to emergencies on his Ducati motorbike — added: “At least it shows the system works. The whole idea is to get the nearest responder available to attend to an emergency — and I was certainly the nearest.”
Roger, of Ashurst, New Forest, was taken to hospital in Southampton for checks
He was discharged next day after doctors decided the pains had been a false alarm.
Roger’s boss Keith Boyes said last night: “Community responders are always backed up by an ambulance.
“The swift arrival of the ambulance crew goes to highlight their outstanding teamwork.
“Thankfully Roger did not have any serious problem and will be able to continue his vital role in the community.”