Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre evacuated as gym user suffers cardiac arrest

A gym user at Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre in Bishop's Stortford was taken to hospital "in a serious condition" after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The man, in his late 40s or early 50s, was believed to be using a treadmill in the first-floor gym when he became unwell soon after 6pm on Tuesday (May 23).

A group of about six fellow users with first aid experience performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on the casualty and used the on-site defibrillator to re-establish the casualty's heart rhythm before paramedics and police arrived.

One woman said on the Indie's Facebook page: "The members of Grange Paddocks that carried out CPR are absolute heroes."

The centre off Rye Street – which is run by Everyone Active on behalf of owner East Herts Council – was evacuated while emergency services dealt with the situation.

Amar Varsani, general manager at Everyone Active, said on Wednesday: "Unfortunately, a customer suffered a cardiac arrest whilst using the gym facilities at Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre yesterday evening. The emergency services were called and the individual was taken to hospital.

"The gym was closed for a short period of time, reopening at 7.30pm.

"We wish the individual a speedy recovery and would like to thank our customers for their co-operation and support in this matter."

The East of England Ambulance Service was called at 6.11pm. It sent an ambulance, rapid response vehicle, ambulance officer vehicle, community first responder and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, which landed on one of the grass football pitches.

A spokeswoman said: "One patient was conveyed by ground ambulance to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, in a serious condition."

The patient is believed to have been taken to Royal Papworth Hospital, the specialist heart and lung hospital located on the same Cambridge Biomedical Campus as Addenbrooke's.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire police said they were called by the ambulance service at 6.14pm to request assistance at the incident.

"It was reported that a man was suffering from a medical episode," he said. "Officers attended alongside the East of England Ambulance Service and air ambulance. The man was taken to hospital for further treatment."

The £22m leisure centre was officially opened 19 months ago – on October 23, 2021 – by Colin Jackson, the BBC TV athletics commentator and former Olympic silver medallist, world, European and Commonwealth champion and world record holder at 110m hurdles.