Carer saves man’s life during dramatic home visit

Sophie Hopkins was visiting dialysis patient Karl Halliwell, of Slipper Lane, Mirfield, when he accidentally burst a surgical fistula on his arm.

He said: “If it wasn’t for Sophie, I probably wouldn’t be here today.

“It was bleeding very badly, but she knew exactly what to do.”

Dialysis fistulas are surgically created links between an artery and vein through which a patient can be treated with haemodialysis.

Karl’s fistula had become swollen in recent weeks and he was told to keep an eye on it by doctors.

But, when Karl accidentally hit the fistula, it burst, causing massive bleeding. Karl then had a seizure.

Luckily, Sophie was on hand to help and, after treating the wound, she stayed with Karl until an ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital.

Karl said: “I am just so grateful that she was there because I am sure I would have been dead otherwise.”

Sophie added: “I was over the moon when I found out Karl was okay later on. I love my job and this is the reason I got into doing work like this.

“Karl even got me a bunch of flowers to say ‘thank you’.”