Rachel Green had previously worked as an ambulance call handler but had "never ever had to deal with anything face to face", until she gave Alan Hale CPR
A woman "undoubtedly saved" a stranger's life after he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest while walking his dogs.
Rachel Green was driving to the gym through the village of Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, in December 2025, when she noticed the two unattended Shih-Tzus and pulled over to find 75-year-old Alan Hale collapsed face down on the pavement.
Hale was in cardiac arrest and Green called 999 and began chest compressions.
She administered a single shock with a nearby defibrillator, followed by continued resuscitation until paramedics arrived, and has now been honoured with an award.
"I owe them my life," said Hale as he thanked the strangers who helped him.
Alan Hale was reunited with Rachel Green earlier this year, where he thanked her for helping to save his life
Hale was waiting at a bus stop with his dogs, Toffee and Poppy, when he collapsed face first into the pavement.
"I remember leaving the house but that is all I remember," he said.
When Hale regained consciousness he found himself at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on the cardiac ward, where he had four stents fitted.
While driving past, Green recalled thinking: "I thought 'that's weird, why has someone left their dogs there'?"
She pulled over and found Hale in a pool of blood where he had "smashed into the floor" and noticed his breathing was "abnormal", prompting her to call 999.
Hale was told by a consultant following his cardiac arrest that without the help of Green and the intervention of others, his chance of surviving was just 2%
The ambulance call handler told Green where the nearest defibrillator was – in the apartment complex where Hale lives – which was retrieved by groundskeeper Ryan Harrison.
Mother-of-two Green said other people passing by began to gather, including an off-duty nurse, who helped with the CPR.
"Together, we delivered one shock to Alan, which seemed to restore his heartbeat," she said.
Green, who worked as an ambulance call handler for 13 years had "never ever had to deal with anything face to face" and only had some first aid training.
Later that day, Green rang the hospital where Hale had been taken to find out if he was OK.
To her surprise he was "up in bed and talking", which she described as "insane".
Green was on her way to a gym that she does not usually train at when she discovered Hale collapsed on the pavement
Green, who is now a fitness coach,was on her way to a gym she does not usually train at when she found Hale.
"It's weird, I feel like I was meant to be there," she said.
On reuniting with Hale, Green said she felt "so emotional".
"It was surreal. But I feel like I needed to see him well after what happened."
Hale added: "This lady saved my life."
The Royal Humane Society has recognised Green for her "brave actions", awarding her with a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate.
"I'm so glad she is getting an award," Hale said.
Since recovering from his cardiac arrest, 75-year-old Hale has been "gallivanting" around the UK with his two dogs, Toffee and Poppy
While on the cardiac ward Hale said he was told by his consultant that – without the help of the strangers who came to his aid – his chances of survival were 2%.
The pair have stayed in touch via email, while Hale has been working on ticking off one thing from his bucket list each month.
"I'm going to live every day now," he said.
"I've been gallivanting around the country, taking the dogs to Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and the Isle of Wight. I've been to places I've never been before.
"All of my senses are heightened, you know, everything's sharp and in focus. I can smell the scent of the flowers and everything.
"It's always been that I didn't notice before, I notice now. I take it all in."
Alan Hale says he lives "every day now"
Emma Wood, chief executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said "every second counts" in a cardiac arrest, adding that Green's actions "undoubtedly saved Alan's life".
She added: "It is a powerful reminder that members of the public can and do make the difference between life and death."
Nurse stole £750k from 99-year-old woman for cosmetic surgery and home improvements
The hero dinner lady who died saving five children in the Aberfan disaster
Charlotte Church to 'pause' wellness retreat and consider its future
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Major protest march held in Paris as more than 160 arrested across France
Watch: 'Mood has really shifted' as Paris protesters clash with police
UK must protect against Russian 'hybrid attacks', ex-national security adviser says
Why people who have never smoked are getting hooked on vapes
Toxic algorithms wouldn't let them go – now Australia wants an off switch
Trial of German steakhouse heiress that sparked a huge spy scandal
Not sure what to wear for Halloween? These outfits are set to be the most popular this year
Two-week half terms: The school holiday no one can agree on
'It's called a phone' – why young people don't need to be in the big smoke to work in fashion
How pumpkin-picking is helping to save farms
From fan art to Star Wars: The poster artist behind Marvel and Disney hits
US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter
David Tennant stars in the new series of Time
Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain investigate identical twins
First look: The hotly-anticipated second series is coming soon
Discover the very first people to land on the British Isles
Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies
Boy, 16, and 80-year-old man die in light aircraft crash near Loch Lomond
Recovery driver sentenced after runaway car crush
Oregon teacher fought school attacker before armed dad shot suspect 'multiple times'
Two-week half terms: The school holiday no one can agree on
Harry Styles debuts new track in memory of Liam Payne
Not sure what to wear for Halloween? These outfits are set to be the most popular this year
Trial of German steakhouse heiress that sparked a huge spy scandal
Analysis: Zacharia was thrown into a whirlwind – and failed at a critical time for Trump
Man jailed for Starmer-linked arson attacks is deported
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
