Teacher feeling 'incredibly loved' by huge support

RACHEL SURVIVED CARDIAC ARREST AGED 24

- POPPY KENNEDY Reporter [e-mail]

A PRIMARY school teacher who survived an out-of-the-blue cardiac arrest thanks to the fast actions of her boyfriend says she’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support she has received since the life threatening incident.

Hundreds of pupils and staff, both past and present, from St Bernadette’s Primary School, in Nunthorpe, gathered on Redcar beach for a sponsored walk.

Year 4 teacher Rachel Kennington was saved by her partner Matty Flay, 29, when she collapsed at their home after taking a shower in October 2024.

Matty dialled 999 and carried out CPR on Rachel, who was age 24 at the time, while being instructed by the ambulance call handler.

Four minutes later the ambulance arrived and the crew managed to resuscitate Rachel using a defibrillator.

Rachel, now 25, said: "I feel so lucky to be alive and without doubt it was crucial to my survival that Matty gave me CPR in those vital minutes before the ambulance arrived with the defib."