A father has credited an off-duty police officer with saving his life after he suffered a cardiac arrest and 'clinically died twice' in a shop in Cwmbran, south Wales.
James Ashley, 52, from Merthyr Tydfil, had just finished parkrun and was shopping in Cwmbran on 4 April when he was hit by a 'wave of dizziness' and fell to the floor. Sgt Adam Hollings from Gwent Police was nearby and immediately started CPR.
Ashley said: 'I clinically died twice but by the time the paramedics got there, I was sitting up talking . . . the diference with Adam knowing what he was doing is that my son didn't lose his dad as a 12-year-old.' He called Hollings an 'absolute hero.
Hollings, 40, from Abergavenny, who has spent 21 years on the force, was awarded a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for his role. He said: 'W're very lucky to have the first aid training that we do, and if we can occasionally be in the right place at the right time to help people out, then fantastic.' He added that even though he was off-duty his training kicked in and he acted on 'autopilot'.
Ashley was taken to University Hospital Wales in Cardiff and has since made a full recovery. The pair were reunited a week later when Hollings visited him in hospital.
Sharon Owen, CEO of Calon Hearts, a Welsh charity that provides defibrillators and training, praised Hollings's 'quick thinking' and said it showed 'just how important it is to know CPR and have the confidence to act.' She urged people not to be afraid of getting CPR wrong, noting that research shows women are less likely than men to receive it partly because people may feel uncomfortable touching a woman's chest.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The story underscores the life-saving potential of CPR and defibrilator training, especially when bystanders act quickly
- It highlights that off-duty emergency workers can make a critical difference, reinforcing the value of first-aid skills in the community
- The case also draws attention to the importance of overcoming hesitation to perform CPR, particularly on women
Background
James Ashley suffered a cardiac arrest while shopping in Cwmbran after a parkrun. Off-duty police officer Adam Hollings began CPR and used a defibrilator. Hollings recieved a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for his actions. The incident occurred on 4 April 2026; Ashley made a full recovery.
What to Watch
- Whether local authorities or charities use this case to promote further CPR training in Welsh communities
- Potential for similar recognition for off-duty responders in other regions
- Continued efforts by charities like Calon Hearts to provide defibrilators and training
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says a dad who “clinically died twice” was saved by an off-duty police officer.BBC Wales: “"I clinically died twice but by the time the paramedics got there, I was sitting up talking... the difference with Adam knowing what he was doing is that my son didn't lose his dad as a 12-year-old," he said”
- SupportedJames Ashley, 52, collapsed while shopping in Cwmbran.BBC Wales: “James Ashley, 52, from Merthyr Tydfil, had just finished parkrun and was shopping in Cwmbran when he was hit by a "wave of dizziness" and fell to the floor on 4 April.”
- Not in the sourcesThe story locates Cwmbran in south Wales.BBC Wales: “James Ashley, 52, from Merthyr Tydfil, had just finished parkrun and was shopping in Cwmbran”
- SupportedAshley said, “I clinically died twice but by the time the paramedics got there, I was sitting up talking.”BBC Wales: “"I clinically died twice but by the time the paramedics got there, I was sitting up talking... the difference with Adam knowing what he was doing is that my son didn't lose his dad as a 12-year-old," he said”
- SupportedAshley said that Adam knowing what he was doing meant his son did not lose his dad as a 12-year-old.BBC Wales: “the difference with Adam knowing what he was doing is that my son didn't lose his dad as a 12-year-old”
- SupportedSgt Adam Hollings started CPR and used a defibrillator.BBC Wales: “Sgt Adam Hollings from Gwent Police was nearby and immediately started CPR.”
- SupportedHollings said, “We're very lucky to have the first aid training that we do.”BBC Wales: “"We're very lucky to have the first aid training that we do, and if we can occasionally be in the right place at the right time to help people out, then fantastic," he said.”
- SupportedHollings was 40 and had spent 21 years on the force.BBC Wales: “Hollings, who has spent 21 years on the force”
- SupportedHollings was awarded a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for his role.BBC Wales: “Hollings, who has spent 21 years on the force, was awarded a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for his role in saving Ashley's life.”
- SupportedSharon Owen, CEO of Calon Hearts, praised Hollings's quick thinking and said the incident showed the importance of knowing CPR and having confidence to act.BBC Wales: “Sharon Owen, CEO of Calon Hearts, a Welsh charity that provides defibrillators and training, praised Hollings for his "quick thinking". She said it showed "just how important it is to know CPR and have the confidence to act."”
