JON Banks is a confessed atheist, but the Penola post office owner was happy to take any miracle he could get when he suffered a heart attack.

However, Jon's wife, Bev, has no doubts about the reason for his survival.

"Considering we live in Penola, it's got to have something to do with Mary MacKillop. We're going to sit him out the front of the post office," she said.

Mr Banks chips in: "It's her third miracle!"

He was born in Penola and Mrs Banks lived in the town for 10 years previously before they both moved back a month ago to take over the post office.

Mary MacKillop, who will be canonised as Australia's first saint next month, put the town on the map when she set up a classroom in a converted stable.

Mr Banks, 54, a former truck driver, was sorting mail early last Friday when he felt chest pain.

"I thought, that's not good, I hope it doesn't get too bad or I can't carry all the gear in," Mr Banks said.

"I started perspiring a bit, next minute ... the sweat was running out of me and I knew something was definitely wrong."

His wife Bev rushed him 50km to Mt Gambier Hospital where he collapsed. Staff shocked Mr Banks up to 11 times trying to get his heart into a rhythm before a visiting cardiologist gave him drugs to treat a blood clot near his heart.

When he was stabilised, he was flown the Flinders Medical Centre.

He had a stent inserted and an angiogram and was discharged from hospital yesterday with just five per cent damage to his heart.

"The head honcho in emergency said don't worry about buying a Lotto ticket because you've just won Lotto, you've had your win."

Mr Banks said the real credit should go to the medical staff who saved his life. "I'm an atheist from hell ... when you've died and someone brings you back you're very appreciative.

"The emergency guys down the Mount, I'm going to take a box of wine to them, for sure."

Originally published as Atheist's 'miracle' escape in Penola