Mother’s hospital bedside vigil after saving her 18-month-old daughter’s life following cardiac arrest

A Bishop’s Stortford mum is keeping vigil at her 18-month-old daughter’s hospital bedside after she used CPR skills to save her life.

Megan Jarrett sprang into action when little Lucie suffered a seizure and then went into cardiac arrest.

She was alone when the toddler collapsed, but husband Nick arrived within minutes and took over CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) as emergency services arrived.

Megan told the Indie: “The police, ambulance and air ambulance did a brilliant job and we can’t fault them. They all arrived within five minutes.”

Lucie was born prematurely at 30 weeks in January 2024. When she left the neonatal intensive care unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow after six-and-a-half weeks, staff taught Megan, 32, and Nick, 40, how to perform the life-saving chest compression and breathing technique.

Megan said: “We want to encourage everyone to learn CPR and first aid so they would know what to do if needed.

“This is the main reason we’re telling our story. We want to make sure everyone else would know what to do if this happens to them.”

She recommended a St John Ambulance app for easy-to-follow steps.

Lucie had previously suffered from seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy, with doctors investigating other health issues.

Megan said: “She has failure to thrive and global delay as well. She was diagnosed with infantile spasms syndrome when she was one, which is within the family of epilepsy but usually affects children under one.”

Lucie’s latest seizure happened last Wednesday afternoon (July 16).

The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance was scrambled to assist. Its crew travelled with Lucie by road to the hospital with lights blazing as Megan and Nick, an Evri delivery driver, followed in a police car.

Their little girl was placed in an induced coma, but on Monday Megan said: “She’s been brought out of the coma and we’re now just waiting for her to wake up and see what damage there is and how we can help her further.

“She’s currently being monitored for dystonia – a muscle disorder – and any ongoing diagnosis that might arise from the incident.”

Megan, a former Herts and Essex High School student, said: “Lucie is a lovely little girl and, before she fell ill, she was smiley, she was learning to roll and loved to babble and giggle. She is a bright light in all our families’ lives.”

After the air ambulance’s arrival at St James’ Park caused a stir and delayed the end of school for Bishop’s Stortford High School students, Megan bravely shared her story via the Bishop’s Stortford Community page on Facebook.

She said: “We are just asking for everyone to pray for her and keep her in your thoughts, please.

“If you are looking for a charity to support this year, then please consider the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance or The Sick Children’s Trust, which provides accommodation for parents and other things, as both have helped, and are helping, Lucie.

“They are brilliant but desperately need help with funding.”

Amie Booth has set up a GoFundMe appeal to help Megan and Nick, a former St Mary’s Catholic School pupil, cover the costs of Lucie’s ongoing care.

Amie said: “Lucie is a fighter, but she has a long journey ahead. Every donation, big or small, will help cover medical expenses and provide Lucie with the care she needs.”

As of Tuesday (July 22) at 7pm, £3,265 has been pledged at https://www.gofundme.com/f/j8xw4s-help-for-lucie.