A GRATEFUL son has thanked two local ‘guardian angels’ for saving his dad’s life after his heart stopped while he was in a Worcester street.

Tony Bullock, 77 was out doing his weekly shopping on Saturday morning when he suffered a cardiac arrest and fell into the middle of Bilford Road.

Mr Bullock was saved after two women - 21-year-old nursing student, Ellie Howard and Cassie Dovey, a nurse at Worcestershire Royal Hospital- stopped to perform CPR.

Son, John Bullock, 43 said: “He just collapsed and fell into the road, fortunately two passers-by stopped and performed CPR on him until the ambulance came. He was dead on the concrete and they saved his life without a second thought. They are real heroes.

“I dread to think what could have happened if they weren’t there, or God forbid if dad was at home. I probably would have found him dead. He lives on his own and has to go out once a week to shop. If the heart attack hadn’t happened when it did and the brave people who saved him didn’t stop, things could have been very different.”

One of the nurses, Ellie Howard underwent major cardiac surgery as a child, later discovering it was a genetic condition which both her dad and her younger sister shared.

The brave student said: “I was out on my run and saw the gentleman in the road another member of the public was already there and another woman got out of her car to come and help.

“Once I had established the gentleman had no pulse myself and the other woman began basic life support (CPR) we took it in turns until the ambulance crew arrived. We both continued to assist whilst the paramedics got their equipment and PPE on.

“I later found out through social media that the gentleman was ok and had survived an out of hospital cardiac arrest. His family have been absolutely lovely! I wish him a speedy recovery and all the best.”

She also said three years ago her dad suffered a cardiac arrest whilst out with her and her family and despite the attempts of her and the air ambulance they were unable to save him. He died aged 43.

Worcester Paramedic, Claire Evans, who was part of the first ambulance crew to arrive on the scene, said: “Cassie and Ellie undoubtedly played a part in saving the patient’s life and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you and well done to them for that.

"Their quick thinking to start early CPR, which was of a good standard, saved vital time in the early stages of the patient’s cardiac arrest which really is when every second counts in trying to save someone’s life.

"Not only that, they were selfless in their actions as they put their own safety at risk as the patient was in the middle of the road, but also did not have any PPE with them to protect themselves from any potential risk of coronavirus.

"I really cannot speak highly of them enough for what they did and they deserve every bit of praise they get. I really would encourage anyone who can to undertake first aid training and learn how to do CPR as one day it could be your turn to save a life.”

Mr Bullock, born and bred in Worcester is still in hospital but is doing well. He is the proud owner of Memorials in Worcester and a loving father and grandfather.

Mr Bullock said it was hard not being able to see his father in hospital but they talk on the phone every day. He added: “We are so grateful to Cassie for saving Tony’s life. We cannot find enough words to express how much her actions, along with Ellie’s, have changed our lives over the last few days. Dad is stable and receiving the care he needs thanks to these two wonderful women.”

Ellie Howard has been nominated for the pride of Britain award due to her heroic actions. In a Facebook post they wrote: “Ellie is in her final year of nursing and was out on a run this week when she came across a man who had collapsed in the street. Thanks to her swift actions the man survived one of the very few ‘out of hospital’ cardiac arrests and his family couldn’t thank her enough. Her late father would be so proud of his incredible daughter.”