‘It was just fate’: Stroke survivor reveals how technology saved him from a tragic fate
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A routine drive took a dramatic turn when a stroke struck unexpectedly on a busy road.
What happened next is a powerful reminder of how technology can make all the difference in life-or-death situations.
Here’s how one man's extraordinary survival was made possible by the life-saving power of a revolutionary mobile app.
In February 2022, Garry Tierney experienced a life-changing stroke while driving on a dangerous stretch of road south of Sydney.
He considers it his lucky day, as his car swerved into heavy traffic on Picton Rd but miraculously missed other vehicles.
This was just the start of a series of fortunate events that allowed him to survive and share his story.
As fate would have it, two paramedics were driving past when the crash occurred and stopped to assist Garry and his partner, Kim Cooper.
A second ambulance arrived shortly after, taking Garry to Liverpool Hospital for specialist stroke treatment.
This crew was trained in using the *Zeus* mobile app, which directly connects paramedics with a neurologist to determine the fastest treatment course.
Half an hour after arriving at the hospital, Garry received clot-busting medication, which quickly restored his speech, movement, and strength.
Kim Cooper, his partner, reflected: ‘It was just fate.’
Since 2021, the *Zeus* app has been trialled in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, with stroke experts hopeful of a national roll-out pending positive results.
The app enables paramedics to input symptoms, imaging, and medical data while communicating with a neurologist en route to the hospital.
According to Geoffrey Donnan, co-chair of the Stroke Alliance, the app *Turbocharges* collaboration among medical staff, an essential step in stroke treatment. ‘Time is brain when it comes to treating stroke,’ he said.
‘Every second and minute counts, so the quicker you can start treatment, the better the outcomes.’
The app has already shown promising results, with the delivery of clot-busting medication in under 45 minutes in 33% of cases in South Australia during the first eight months of 2024, compared to just 17% in the same period of 2023.
Additionally, the app has led to a 72% reduction in unnecessary hospital transfers in the state, where regional hospitals linked to the app have improved care.
These advancements are particularly critical in rural areas, where stroke incidences are 17% higher but patients often lack access to specialist units.
‘It’s upsetting to see how they really are, for a lot of disease process managements, getting second-class service, which shouldn’t be the case,’ said Professor Donnan.
‘But with all these technologies, I really see the opportunity to level the playing field.’
The *Zeus* app relies on Amazon Web Services cloud technology to store medical records and health data securely.
As technology continues to advance, geographic barriers are being broken down, providing patients with access to better care, even in remote locations.
‘The best specialist probably isn’t in your city and is definitely not in your suburb, so how do you get access to them?’ said Simon Elisha, Chief Technologist for Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.
‘Technology becomes the way to do that.’
Today, Garry has returned to his life as a father, grandfather, and enthusiastic bowls player.
‘They saved my life,’ he said.
Could advancements in technology like this be the key to saving even more lives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
What happened next is a powerful reminder of how technology can make all the difference in life-or-death situations.
Here’s how one man's extraordinary survival was made possible by the life-saving power of a revolutionary mobile app.
In February 2022, Garry Tierney experienced a life-changing stroke while driving on a dangerous stretch of road south of Sydney.
He considers it his lucky day, as his car swerved into heavy traffic on Picton Rd but miraculously missed other vehicles.
This was just the start of a series of fortunate events that allowed him to survive and share his story.
As fate would have it, two paramedics were driving past when the crash occurred and stopped to assist Garry and his partner, Kim Cooper.
A second ambulance arrived shortly after, taking Garry to Liverpool Hospital for specialist stroke treatment.
This crew was trained in using the *Zeus* mobile app, which directly connects paramedics with a neurologist to determine the fastest treatment course.
Half an hour after arriving at the hospital, Garry received clot-busting medication, which quickly restored his speech, movement, and strength.
Kim Cooper, his partner, reflected: ‘It was just fate.’
Since 2021, the *Zeus* app has been trialled in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, with stroke experts hopeful of a national roll-out pending positive results.
The app enables paramedics to input symptoms, imaging, and medical data while communicating with a neurologist en route to the hospital.
According to Geoffrey Donnan, co-chair of the Stroke Alliance, the app *Turbocharges* collaboration among medical staff, an essential step in stroke treatment. ‘Time is brain when it comes to treating stroke,’ he said.
‘Every second and minute counts, so the quicker you can start treatment, the better the outcomes.’
The app has already shown promising results, with the delivery of clot-busting medication in under 45 minutes in 33% of cases in South Australia during the first eight months of 2024, compared to just 17% in the same period of 2023.
Additionally, the app has led to a 72% reduction in unnecessary hospital transfers in the state, where regional hospitals linked to the app have improved care.
These advancements are particularly critical in rural areas, where stroke incidences are 17% higher but patients often lack access to specialist units.
‘It’s upsetting to see how they really are, for a lot of disease process managements, getting second-class service, which shouldn’t be the case,’ said Professor Donnan.
‘But with all these technologies, I really see the opportunity to level the playing field.’
The *Zeus* app relies on Amazon Web Services cloud technology to store medical records and health data securely.
As technology continues to advance, geographic barriers are being broken down, providing patients with access to better care, even in remote locations.
‘The best specialist probably isn’t in your city and is definitely not in your suburb, so how do you get access to them?’ said Simon Elisha, Chief Technologist for Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.
‘Technology becomes the way to do that.’
Today, Garry has returned to his life as a father, grandfather, and enthusiastic bowls player.
‘They saved my life,’ he said.
Could advancements in technology like this be the key to saving even more lives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
