A MAN who collapsed with a heart attack while taking part in a half marathon has been reunited with the volunteers who saved his life.

Dave Hatton was just a short distance into the run in Steyning when he fell ill and immediately returned to the start line.

He went to the St John Ambulance first aid centre set up for the competition where he suddenly collapsed and needed to have his heart re-started by the team.

The first aiders looked after Mr Hatton until paramedics arrived and took him to hospital, where he went on to make a full recovery.

Mr Hatton, 55, from Horsham, is a keen runner and hill walker.

He was taking part in the race with his wife, Rhoda, daughter Emma and her boyfriend Jason.

He said: “The conditions were very wet and muddy, and as I was running across the first field I started to experience chest pains.

“At first I thought it was just the cold air entering my lungs, and I said to my wife I would hold back a moment and catch her up.”

Mr Hatton, who had recently completed a first aid course, knew something was seriously wrong.

He said: “I had learned what symptoms to watch out for when someone is having a heart attack and it really wasn’t long before I realised it was happening to me.”

Worthing-based St John Ambulance first aider and registered nurse, Julie Beynon, met Mr Hatton at the centre.

She said: “We started our initial assessment but within about three minutes his condition deteriorated.

“He suddenly collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.

“It was really fortunate he had returned to the start line, as we were able to give extremely early treatment, including the use of a defibrillator.”

Mr Hatton was treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and had an internal defibrillator fitted before being discharged 12 days later. He is recovering well and already walking about five miles a day to rebuild his fitness.

Mr Hatton met the volunteers at their base in Worthing to say thank you and now intends to fundraise for the charity.

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“I had learned what symptoms to watch out for when someone is having a heart attack and it really wasn’t long before I realised it was happening to me.

“I am so grateful for everything the team did for me that day.

“Not only for my treatment, but also the way the volunteers helped my wife and gave her all the information and reassurance she needed, during what was a very stressful and emotional experience.”

Dave Hatton