Hampton Man Reunites With Team Who Saved Him From Heart Attack

RYE, NH — Chris Phillips from Hampton is lucky to be alive after suffering a heart attack while on a 2022 bike ride.

On Thursday, Phillips was reunited with many of the people he credits for saving him.

The gathering, which took place at the Rye Public Safety bulding and was attended by Phillips' friends, family members, hospital staff, and first responders, marked the miracle that is Phillips' recovery from a cardiac arrest — a medical event that doctors say only 10 people survive.

Phillips suffered the crisis on Sept. 11, 2022, when he set off on a bike ride from his Hampton home to York Beach, Maine. The next thing he remembers is waking up in a hospital bed surrounded by people who were shocked he was alive.

But the happy ending was no accident. Officials say that "the chain of events responsible for Phillips' survival began with Summer Sessions surf shop owner Ryan McGill, who was told by visitors that a person was unresponsive on a bench outside."

McGill, who has extensive CPR training, quickly assessed Phillips' condition and began chest compressions, officials added. Then Rye Fire & Rescue responders Jake MacGlashing, Kaitlyn Pidgeon, Jon Cots, and Deputy Chief Kevin Wunderly arrived and took over critical life-saving care.

Using an automated LUCAS chest compression system, medics were able to restore Phillips' pulse and stabilize him within 20 minutes — before he even arrived at the hospital.

Portsmouth Regional Hospital staff provided Phillips with further treatment, and he was released after 10 days, according to officials.

The ceremony, introduced by Fire Chief Mark Cotreau and led by Regional EMS Coordinator Andrew Mason, recognized the dozens of people who contributed to Phillips' care.

"Today I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit that is deeply moved by the extraordinary efforts of you guys, professionals and non-professionals that just did what they did," Phillips said during the ceremony.

Cotreau said that he is "proud of the folks at the hospital, the bystanders, the medics and all of people that had a play in this."

"Community is a part of our system," Cotreau added.

Phillips presented plaques to Summer Sessions, Portsmouth Regional Hospital staff, and Rye Fire & Rescue, whom he recognized as the reasons he is alive today.

"To the staff of Rye Fire & Rescue, I just want to acknowledge that your efforts, often under really immense pressure and challenging circumstances, mean the world to people like me," Phillips said. "I hope that people express their appreciation for you. It's truly brilliant what you guys do."