Gedling neighbourhood police officer saves man’s life at Newark Parkrun at Sconce and Devon Park

An off-duty police officer saved a man’s life while after he suffered a heart attack at a town community running event.

Police Constable Tom Packer was supporting his wife at the Newark Parkrun held at Sconce and Devon Park on March 22.

While waiting at the finish line, neighbourhood officer Pc Packer became aware of a man who was with two children and complaining about feeling unwell and light-headed.

He helped the man, in his 40s and had completed the run, to a seat on a nearby bench but then he fell unconscious and stopped breathing, so Pc Packer dragged him onto the floor and began CPR.

He said: “It was at this point I suspected the man was having a heart attack and knew from my training that speed was of the essence in helping him.

“My wife had finished the run by this point and she supported the man’s children while I continued with the first aid and told other people who had gathered to call for an ambulance and find a defibrillator.

“Another member of the public also helped by assisting with the breaths while I carried out compressions.

“I was soon handed a defibrillator and again my police training helped me in knowing how to use the machine and apply pads to the man.

“After administering a shock to him and further CPR, he thankfully took a breath on his own.

“Police officers from Newark had now arrived at the scene along with paramedics and the man was taken to hospital by air ambulance.”

It was later confirmed that he had suffered a heart attack and required surgery but is now recovering, and PC Packer was relieved to receive a message from the man’s wife a few days later thanking him.

Pc Packer added: “I’m grateful for the message and it’s brilliant news he is on the mend. I had to think quickly and I’m pleased my police first aid training was able to help save this man’s life.

“I did nothing that any other officer wouldn’t have done. I was just at the right place at the right time.

“I’d also like to thank the other members of the public who stopped to help and the paramedics and other responders.”