Danielle Lappin, Reporter

A HELENSBURGH woman whose life was saved by hotel staff and quick thinking volunteers has extended her thanks to everyone who helped save her life.

Martha Isobel McNeill, 71, known to family and friends as Ibel, collapsed during a ceilidh in the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel last month, after the Luss Highland Games.

The staff, who had received HeartStart training after the installation of a public access defibrillator on the premises, sprang into action, managing the crowds and grabbing the defibrillator

Two hotel guests came forward to help when they saw the defibrillator being lifted and together they got a response from Ibel back on the third shock.

Now out of hospital and recovering, Ibel wanted to take the time to meet and thank the people who had helped to save her life.

She told the Advertiser: “Everyone has been brilliant. If it wasn’t for their quick thinking I wouldn’t be here. I was apprehensive coming back to where it happened but more than happy to meet and get the opportunity to thank those who saved my life.”

Ibel and her husband Andy returned to the hotel with HeartStart coordinator Sheenah Nelson to hand out certificates and thank the staff at the hotel and the visitors from Aberdeen who came to meet Ibel and make sure she was alright.

Patrick Colquhoun, who was at the event on the night, attended the event to check up on Ibel’s progress and congratulate everyone on what they had done. He accepted a certificate on behalf of the hotel for saving a life by performing CPR and AED skills.

Andy handed out certificates to Iain Hamilton, manager, Valerie Jones, deputy manager and staff members Graeme Gordon, Erin McGeachin, Danielle McElroy, Stuart MacLachlan and Alex Barnes.

The quick-thinking guests James Usher, an IT manager and Steven Kennedy, a retained firefighter from Aberdeen, were also honoured.

Ibel spent three weeks in hospital following her scare and is still recovering. She doesn’t remember anything about what happened.

Ibel said: “I am on the mend and getting stronger every day. It was such a shock, I don’t remember feeling ill before it happened or anything before waking up in the hospital.

“I didn’t know that the hotel had a defibrillator. It’s not something you think about really but I’m so glad that they did and people knew how to use it.

“I think they are brilliant and should be everywhere, they really are life-savers.

“Today I met my heroes and got to personally thank them for all that they did for me, I can’t thank them enough.”

The Helensburgh and Lomond Garelochside Rotary Club have been installing publicly accessible defibrillators across the area for some time with the help of local businesses, councillors and the communities.

The installation of the defibrillator at The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel was at the request of Lady Colquhoun

Her son, Patrick Colquhoun, said: “The defibrillator is fantastic. It has been here about three years now. Lady Colquhoun made it a personal ambition to get it installed as the nearest one was Balloch.

“She is now campaigning to get one in the village to because these things happen so quick and a minute could make a difference

Hotel manager Mr Hamilton said: “I am so proud of all the staff, they reacted, stayed calm and looked after the guests while Ibel was assisted.

“They received their training two years ago and still did everything right, I was delighted that they had the confidence to take action.

Everyone at the hotel wishes Ibel the best in her recovery.”