A MAN whose heart stopped after he collapsed in Witton Park says he owes his life to a woman who used a defibrillator to revive him.

Iain Goodliffe, 64, from Queen Victoria Street, Mill Hill, was warming down in the park’s parking area after doing a running class with a Couch to 5K group when he collapsed on March 30.

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Council staff member Sarah Drinkwater, who works in the leisure department, found Mr Goodliffe just in time to save his life.

She was able to successfully use the skills she had learnt through first aid training and get the defibrillator from inside the arena before administering three shocks to Iain, who had also stopped breathing before banging his head on the concrete.

Father of four Iain, who has three grandchildren, said: “We’d been on a run through Mill Hill and along Preston Old Road and were warming down afterwards when I fell backwards.

“I’m told Sarah was on hand very quickly and simply saved me from certain death.

“I’m simply overwhelmed when I think of her actions and the others who helped her.

“It was lucky where it happened as the defibrillator was close by.

“I would urge as many groups and businesses to get the equipment. As shown by me, it can prevent death.”

Sarah Drinkwater, who is to get an award for her actions, said that after she had used the equipment she faced an anxious wait to see if Iain was still alive.

She said: “Someone came in and said a man had collapsed and wasn’t breathing.

“I took the equipment out and did CPR before shocking him.

“Once the paramedics arrived they took over and took him inside the ambulance.

“We were waiting outside in the pouring rain but before they left they opened the door and told us that he’d pulled through. It was such a relief.”

At hospital it was found that Iain, a taxi driver for B&B, had an artery 99 per cent blocked and another 90 per cent blocked and he could have collapsed at any moment.

He has had stents inserted near his heart and is now recovering at home.

He has taken his family to see his lifesaver Sarah and they remain in contact.

Claire Ramwell, head of leisure, health and wellbeing at BwD Council, said: “We’re very proud of Sarah who acted quickly and with extreme professionalism. The defibrillator at Witton Park arena is present due to the large number of GP sessions and physical exercise classes but is only available during opening hours, as the building cannot be accessed out of hours.”