Farmers jump to rescue of colleague after he suffers heart attack while ploughing field

Involved in saving Richard Morris's life on a farm in north Norfolk, were, from left, Andrew Claydon, Jamie Laing, Barrie Bensley and Graham Claydon. Picture: ARCHANT Archant

If it wasn’t for the quick-thinking actions of his fellow farmers, Richard Morris might not be alive today.

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Richard Morris, wholse life was saved by quick-thinking colleages on a farm in north Norfolk when he had a heart attack. Picture: ARCHANT Richard Morris, wholse life was saved by quick-thinking colleages on a farm in north Norfolk when he had a heart attack. Picture: ARCHANT

The 59-year-old, who has worked at Old Hall Farm in Knapton for 43 years, is recovering at home in Aylmerton after he had a heart attack while ploughing a field.

Graham Claydon, 38, was working elsewhere in the same field when it happened and was first to respond to Mr Morris’s call for help, just before 8am on Wednesday (October 10).

Mr Claydon said: “He rang me up on his phone and said he was having chest pains and needed to go to hospital. I quickly got in my tractor and got over to him.”

Colleagues Barrie Bensley, Jamie Laing and farm manager Andrew Claydon - Graham’s dad - also rushed to help and called an ambulance, which arrived within about 20 minutes.

Lifesaver, Graham Claydon assisted paramedics by giving Richard Morris chest compressions. Picture: Neil Didsbury Lifesaver, Graham Claydon assisted paramedics by giving Richard Morris chest compressions. Picture: Neil Didsbury

But Mr Morris’s condition worsened and he went into cardiac arrest as the ambulance crew drove to the edge of the field.

Mr Bensley said: “He was fitting on the floor when I saw him. He was in another world.

“He was grey and sweating and in pain. They got just there in time. They said another two minutes and that would have been his lot.

Mr Claydon said he was called on to help with the initial treatment. He said: “They got the oxygen and started the chest compressions, and then asked me to do them, and that’s when I took over. After a little while he came around. It was a scary situation.”

Involved in saving Richard Morris's life on a farm in north Norfolk, were, from left, Andrew Claydon, Barrie Bensley, Graham Claydon and Jamie Laing. Picture: ARCHANT Involved in saving Richard Morris's life on a farm in north Norfolk, were, from left, Andrew Claydon, Barrie Bensley, Graham Claydon and Jamie Laing. Picture: ARCHANT

Graham said he had done a first-aid course before, which gave him the confidence to act without hesitation.

He said: “It’s definitely a credit to the ambulance service. You couldn’t fault them.”

Andrew said Mr Morris was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. His main artery was found to be blocked, which was treated and a stent was inserted.

The incident highlights the dangers farm workers face and the importance of knowing first-aid.

Andrew said they often worked for long stretches in isolation, so keeping in contact and watching out for each other could be crucial.

He said: “They work on their own a lot of the time, that is the worrying thing.”

Mr Claydon said Mr Morris would be off work for at least six weeks. He said: “We wish him well with his recovery and hope to see him back soon.”

Each year, there are 13,000 injuries to workers in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors, and there were 27 deaths in 2016/17.