Passer-by who knew CPR saved cyclist who suffered heart attack in Sedgefield

The cyclist, a man in his 50s, collapsed on Salters Lane, Sedgefield, County Durham, at about 1.30pm this afternoon (Good Friday).

The incident was spotted by someone walking by and who called 999 before administering CPR.

An ambulance crew arrived and took over, continued to administer CPR and then used a defibrilator to shock the victim's heart back into rhythm.

In the meantime, the Great North Air Ambulance had been scrambled to the scene.

Air crew paramedic Stuart Thompson said: “Our doctor, Bill Godfrey, anaesthetised the patient and put him to sleep.

“He was transferred to the James Cook University Hospital in six minutes and taken straight to a cardiac theatre.”

Mr Thompson added: “He was unlucky to suffer a cardiac arrest, but lucky in that it happened in front of someone who knew CPR.

“Essentially, this person saved his life. To survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is rare – just a one to two per cent chance. He was a very lucky man.”

The patient is described as being in a critical condition in hospital.

Were you the person who saved the cyclist's life? Call the Echo newsdesk on 01325 505064 or email newsdesk@nne.co.uk