The quick-thinking actions of Queensland Rail (QR) customers and employees have saved the life of a man who suffered a major cardiac arrest at Fortitude Valley station.
Brad Tite, a 58-year-old civil engineer, collapsed while waiting for his train home on 23 June 2021.
“I remember getting to the train station and then waking up in hospital, but nothing in between,” Mr Tite said.
What happened in between was a mammoth team effort to save Mr Tite’s life.
Several customers leaped into action, taking turns performing lifesaving CPR for more than 10 minutes.
Peter Raymer was one of those bystanders, whose disability and aged care first aid training kicked in as he called 000 and then stepped in for his turn at CPR.
Assistant Station Master Charlie (Leslie) Roberts worked together with other station employees to use the defibrillator on Mr Tite and manage the flow of customers.
“It was a team effort and our first aid training paid off as we did everything we could to help Mr Tite,” Leslie said.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) arrived at the station soon after and took over care of the Thorneside man.
Mr Tite was transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and has since undergone a triple bypass surgery, with doctors telling him the prompt actions of everyone involved plus the combination of immediate CPR and use of the defibrillator saved his life.
“My doctors told me I wouldn’t be here without the help of station employees and the medically trained customer,” he said.
“I am so grateful that they were close by to help. It just goes to show how important it is to be trained in CPR and for defibrillators to be readily available in public places.
“You never think it’s going to happen to you, you think you’re indestructible, but you’re not. I now want to learn how to do CPR so I can use my experience to help other people.”
Bystander Mr Raymer, whose own wife recently passed away from a lung condition said “I couldn’t save my wife but I could save a stranger. It’s great to see my disability and aged care training, which I did so I could help my wife, came in useful.”
Prior to surgery, Mr Tite’s cardiologist requested the data from the defibrillator. It was another team effort to get that data to the hospital in a timely fashion, with Queensland Rail staff liaising with the supplier to enable the doctor to download the data and one employee taking the device to the hospital.
Queensland Rail General Manager Station Customer Service Ron Degraaf said the safety of customers and employees is Queensland Rail’s highest priority.
“We know seconds count in a cardiac arrest, which is why Queensland Rail had invested in installing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at various stations on the rail network,” Mr Degraaf said.
“This situation is a prime example of their life-saving capability. It’s incredible that Mr Tite is here with us today and I’m extremely thankful for the actions of our customers and employees for the role they played.”
Queensland Rail has defibrillators available at 12 of the most frequented locations – Central, Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, Roma Street, South Brisbane, South Bank, Eagle Junction, Park Road, Northgate, Petrie, Darra and Beenleigh stations.
They are also located on each long-distance passenger service, for use by trained onboard customer service employees.
Queensland Rail also has trained medics located at four CBD stations – Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills, to respond in the event of medical incidents.
