‘Second chance at life’: How brothers saved Henry from sudden cardiac arrest

Published: 26 March 2026

When Maketu coastguard volunteer Henry Samson flew to the UK for his father’s 90th birthday in 2024, he never imagined his brothers, and two strangers, would end up saving his life.

The 61-year-old was fit, healthy and didn’t have any known heart issues or family history of heart disease. 

What started as a routine run to shake off the long 30-hour flight quickly turned into a fight for his life.

He was less than a kilometre from home when he suddenly clutched at his chest and collapsed.

 “I don't remember any symptoms. I just suddenly fell to my knees, hit the ground and was unconscious and not breathing,” Henry recalls.

He had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Every minute without CPR or defibrillation cuts survival chances by another 10 percent. 

For 20 agonising minutes Henry wasn’t breathing. 

Luckily one of his brothers started CPR instantly while the other flagged down a passerby, giving Henry a fighting chance of survival.

One lady drove to the local church five minutes away where they had a defibrillator (AED), while the person they initially flagged down helped with CPR.

“One of the guys my brothers flagged down had just done a first aid course the week before. He and his family had had heart problems so he knew exactly what to do.

“Fortunately for me another lady went down to the local church which had a defibrillator that was installed just two months before. Once she returned they used it to get me breathing again.

“Paramedics arrived on scene assessed my condition and continued care. By this time I was semi-conscious but unable to comprehend what was happening.

“If the defibrillator hadn’t been installed in the local church, I’d have been toast that’s for sure.

“I often go out running by myself, so if it wasn’t for my brothers being there, I’d have been gone. They definitely saved my life that day. I’m forever indebted to them.”

Diagnosis and recovery

Henry was rushed to hospital where after a myriad of tests he had an ICD (implantable cardio defibrillator) inserted during surgery.

He spent 10 days in hospital, where he spent a lot of time trying to get his cognitive ability back after his brain was starved of oxygen during the cardiac arrest. 

While in hospital, he was diagnosed with a bicuspid valve, which is a common congenital defect where the aortic valve (normally with three cusps) forms with only two. 

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the heart’s left ventricle into the aorta, which sends oxygenated blood around the body. Henry says cardiologists believed he may have had a sticky valve that contributed to the cardiac arrest.

He spent five weeks in the UK before he was allowed to fly back to New Zealand to continue rehabilitation.

The keen runner’s recovery was slow after suffering broken ribs during the live-saving CPR.

“I was in a lot of pain from the broken ribs as well as recovering from surgery.

“Fatigue was the biggest thing. I got tired really easily, which was frustrating given I used to exercise all the time.

“I started walking short distances and then gradually built up my fitness and progressed to run/walks and then eventually running. Initially I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to run again.”

Henry’s vital message to Kiwis

Henry is sharing his story as part of the Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Appeal, with volunteers collecting nationwide on 27–28 February 2026 and donations also accepted online to help fund life saving heart research and support for people living with heart disease.

He says its vital every New Zealander learns first aid, knows where the nearest defibrillator (AED) is and understands the warning signs when it comes to heart issues.

“The fact that my brother knew CPR, and the person driving past had just done a first aid course, that saved my life. Everyone should learn what to do.

“Knowing where the nearest defibrillators is also an absolute lifesaver. All you need is to download an app. I’ve got a second chance at life because of all those factors.

“This could happen to anyone, anytime. It was never on my radar it would happen to me. You can’t take any day for granted. You just have to live your life. 

“Going through a traumatic life-threatening experience gives you an appreciation for every day. That gratitude of waking up every day and enjoying the small things.”

Henry’s half marathon

Less than one-and-a-half years following his cardiac arrest, Henry, now 62, is marking his second chance at life by running the Tarawera Ultra half marathon on February 14, raising funds and awareness for the Heart Foundation.

Managing recovery and fatigue, the now 62-year-old has increased his training distances in preparation for the half marathon.

“Initially pre-cardiac arrest, I could run 5km without stopping. Afterwards, I could only do 1-2km before needing to stop to catch my breath.

“I had to be careful about not overdoing it. But since training for this half marathon I’ve increased it quite a lot. I’m able to reach 5km without needing a rest. Last week I ran 17km in preparation.

“It's amazing what the body can bounce back from. Both my brothers have done marathons so it’s been on my bucket list, even after the cardiac arrest. They saved my life, so it’s a great reason to ticket it off the bucket list.”

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