An off-duty police officer has been thanked for saving a man's life after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a parkrun. David Painter, 74, from Dilton Marsh, went into cardiac arrest shortly after beginning the event at Thoulstone Park.
PC Vicky Howick, who was also running, recognised Mr Painter's laboured breathing as a sign of cardiac arrest. She began CPR and called for a defibrillator. Another officer, Nick Slade, assisted Mr Painter's wife, Jackie, by driving her to Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Mr Painter spent approximately a month in hospital, undergoing heart surgery and having a cardioverter defibrillator fitted. He has been advised not to drive or run for six months, but plans to volunteer at parkruns during this time.
Both PC Howick and PC Slade received commendations from Assistant Chief Constable Deb Smith for their actions. Mr Painter and his wife recently met with the officers and other parkrun volunteers at Thoulstone Park.
Following the incident, the parkrun near Westbury organised a special first aid course for 50 runners to help participants learn emergency response skills.