A runner has spoken of the brave attempts to save the life of a man who collapsed and died during a park run at the Forest Recreation Ground.
James Herbert, a Nottingham teacher, was one of a number of people who helped perform resuscitation on the runner at the park, after he collapsed just inside the Mansfield Road entrance on Saturday morning.
Mr Herbert has since praised the efforts of other runners and paramedics, and said the fact he and other people knew how to do chest compressions meant the man was given the best possible care in the few minutes before 999 crews arrived.
The man was later taken by ambulance to the Queen’s Medical Centre, but was pronounced dead by medics. He has not been named publicly.
Notts Police said they were also called but the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be handed to the coroner.
Speaking about what happened, James said: “A gentleman suddenly collapsed while running and two doctors, who were also runners, turned him over, maintained his airway and started chest compressions.
“I then joined in as I have the training and it’s very hard to do for any length of time.
“We continued chest compressions while we waited for the ambulance crews, which were very quick, I think under six minutes, and worked very hard on him with the help of the doctors; he was then taken off to hospital.”
James said he had never used his first aid to intervene in a life threatening situation before but was surprised how ‘automatic’ his response was.
He said: “It was clear that he wasn’t in a good way when they got him in the ambulance but the professionalism and skill the crews and doctors displayed was incredible.
“We were quite near the back so not a lot of people knew at the time but word did spread; people helped but it was pretty sombre.
“CPR is really important, as are other lifesaving first aid techniques such as how to open someone’s airway or to help someone who is choking.
“I think a lot of people have had the training as part of health and safety training at work but having the confidence to get involved is a big challenge.”
Run organisers confirmed the death of the 43-year-old man and offered condolences to the man’s family and friends.
