I was rushing through the airport to pick up my son - then I woke up in an ambulance

After having his life saved by three strangers who performed CPR in Birmingham Airport, this Nottingham driving instructor is asking them to come forward so he can thank them.

Alex Orchiston, from Beeston, collapsed while waiting for his son Adam in the airport's car park after they returned from a week's holiday in Majorca at 3.30pm on October 28, 2025.

The 59-year-old, who was carrying two suitcases and a rucksack, was rushing through the car park with his wife Clare when he felt chest pains and lost consciousness.

He said: “The last thing I remember before waking up in the ambulance was seeing Adam’s car come off the mini roundabout and through the car park entrance.

"We knew we had to meet Adam on time as you only get 10 minutes free parking, so I took both suitcases and was pushing myself hard.

“Clare told me that two women and a man stepped forward and took it in turns to do CPR on me and that somebody must have called the ambulance. Their actions absolutely helped save my life."

Both an air ambulance and an ambulance rushed the driving instructor to Heartlands Hospital, where he received three shocks from a defibrillator, bringing him back to consciousness.

The driving instructor was later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, where he underwent a triple bypass on November 21, after tests revealed that he had narrowed and blocked arteries, which caused him to have a heart attack and cardiac arrest.

Since the incident, Mr Orchiston has sent out an appeal for the two women and the man who helped perform life-saving CPR on him so that he can thank them and invite them to his 60th birthday.

He said: “It’s my 60th birthday in September and we’re having a big party to celebrate where I’ll be asking for donations to the British Heart Foundation instead of presents.

“I would love it if any of the three people who helped save my life that day could come forward so I can thank them personally and invite them along to the party.

"Even if I could just send them a message to say how grateful we all are that they had the presence of mind and ability to carry out CPR on me and call the ambulance. I know I would not be celebrating 60 without their intervention."

Mr Orchiston added: "It would be great if anyone who knows anything could leave a message on my Just Giving page.

"We don’t have a very good description of them as it was all so stressful at the time for Clare, but we think they were two women and a man.

“I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to go back to refereeing for the local junior league and I still keep up my fitness.

"I enjoy working and spending time with my family, My daughter Hannah is an event organiser at the hotel where we’re having my 60th, so that will be a very special day for us all.”

Lizzie Moscardini, senior programme manager at the British Heart Foundation, said: “The quick thinking and ability to perform CPR of these three unknown heroes undoubtedly saved Alex’s life that day. We hope that Alex gets the chance one day to thank them in person."