Stokesley: Cardiac arrest swimmer to return to near fatal race

But, three-quarters of the way into the 5,000m race he was spotted by a kayaker motionless with his face down in the water.

He was quickly puled from the lake and taken to the shore where he received CPR and defibrillator treatment before being rushed to hospital.

Doctors discovered Mr Parkes had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Still, when he came round from a coma, his first thought was the race.

“When I woke up in hospital, the first thing I asked was ‘well, did I win the race’?” he said.

Following surgery and rehabilitation, Mr Parkes is now back to swimming six times a week and has already taken part in some local races.

But returning to the site of his cardiac arrest for the 2024 National Masters Open Water Swimming Championships, will be a big moment, he said.

He will also have chance to meet with some of people who helped save his life last year.

“I think the solace for the people who helped me is that they can see me now having recovered and I’m in a place where they can just look at me and say ‘I don’t know how you’ve done this Nick’,” he said.

He added that he hoped his story would inspire others to visit their GP for a health check.

He said: “I know of swimmers who have been and got themselves checked out since my little episode and that’s good to hear.”

“I realise how lucky I am and I can’t thank everyone enough.”

A Swim England spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Nick back to the GoCardless Swim England Open Water Masters Championships this weekend.

“It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate Nick’s remarkable story and a chance for Nick to thank those people who saved his life.”

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