A father from Colchester has astounded doctors and brought hope to his family after surviving a cardiac arrest that left him without a heartbeat for an extraordinary 45 minutes. Steve Dalton, 64, collapsed suddenly in his daughter’s garden whilst helping construct a play area, only to beat overwhelming medical odds and make a miraculous recovery.
On what started as a routine day, Steve and his daughter, Kate, had been working together outdoors since early morning. As the afternoon waned, Kate noticed her father appear unwell through the window. Sensing something was not right, she rushed outside to find Steve suffering a seizure—an episode that quickly escalated into a life-threatening crisis.
Instantly, Steve’s son Sam sprang into action, administering CPR while waiting for emergency services to arrive. The crucial, nerve-wracking eight minutes before paramedics arrived felt like an eternity for the Dalton family. Sam, despite lacking formal medical training, relied on instincts driven by watching CPR on television—actions that would soon prove vital.
Paramedics worked tirelessly, tending to Steve inside the ambulance for three hours. During this time, he lost vital signs for a staggering 45 minutes, leading his panicked family to believe they may have lost their much-loved patriarch for good. Kate vividly recalls the horror of the moment: “I broke down. It was the longest eight minutes of our lives. He went completely blue, and there are no words to explain how frightening it was.”
Medical staff at the hospital delivered devastating news, forecasting a mere two per cent chance of survival and warning that, should he revive, severe brain damage was likely due to oxygen deprivation. Steve was placed in an induced coma while his family assembled at his bedside, preparing for what seemed inevitable. Kate said, “We grieved for him. He looked dead; he was cold. We tried to speak to him, telling him we were proud.”
What followed astonished everyone involved. Despite these grim predictions, Steve awoke from his coma two and a half days later—alert, lucid, and remarkably talking within 48 hours. He recalls his first moments after waking: “The last thing I remember is being in the garden, then I woke up. There was a feeling of euphoria because you’ve survived something unbelievable.”
Not only had Steve survived, but repeated assessments revealed he had no signs of brain damage, despite the extended period without a heartbeat. His daughter, refusing to accept the bleak prognosis, recalled protesting fiercely to the doctors. For the Dalton family, every improvement was met with disbelief and relief in equal measure.
Steve’s recovery did not end there. Over the next fortnight, he continued to improve and underwent surgery to have an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) fitted as a protective measure. Remarkably, he was discharged after just fourteen days and returned to work only one week later, grateful for the gift of time with his wife, seven children, and seventeen grandchildren.
Kate organised a special ‘recovery party’ to celebrate her father’s return and resilience. The family has also launched a fundraising initiative for SCA UK, a peer-support organisation for those affected by cardiac arrest. Their motivation extends beyond gratitude: they are determined to raise awareness about the early warning signs of cardiac events and the life-saving importance of immediate CPR.
Reflecting on his experience, Steve said, “Knowing CPR and acting quickly can make all the difference. My son saved my life—he truly is my hero.” For Kate and the rest of the family, the ordeal has offered a stark reminder of life’s fragility, but also of the enduring strength that comes from hope, swift action, and family unity.