LIVE OAK, Fla. — Local emergency personnel celebrated the recovery of a patient last week.

Johnathan Barry, 38, of White Springs, suffered a heart attack on March 25 and was back at work 10 days later.

“This is one of those success stories we don’t see often,” said Tommy Cochran, flight nurse.

Cochran said the statistics of Barry surviving were slim.

Barry said he was at home that evening when he thought he was having a heart attack.

He called 9-1-1 communications and Hamilton County EMS responded.

When they confirmed he was having a heart attack, life flight was called to transport him to North Florida Regional Medical Center.

Barry passed out before the helicopter arrived.

Flight medic Lee Cassels, Cochran and pilot Doug Bear of Air Methods responded to the call.

“I remember waking up and asking Cochran not to cut off my shirt,” Barry said.

Barry said he was told that he died several times and was brought back during the flight.

At North Florida Regional, Barry received a sting inside his stent. This was his fourth heart attack within two years.

His previous heart attack was only four months prior.

“A lot of it is due to stress and smoking,” Barry said.

He said he is working hard to quit smoking.

Barry called the emergency personnel that responded to his 9-1-1 call, lifesavers.

“I could never express my gratitude for these guys,” Barry said

Family friend Leighton Mullis said she was thankful they responded quickly.