AN officer from our Dog Section and a member of public have been praised alongside paramedics for helping to save the life of a man who went into cardiac arrest.

At around 3:15pm on Wednesday, May 16, Pc Ross Ashcroft was on patrol when he responded to reports of a 59-year-old man who had stopped breathing in Harlow.

Pc Ross Ashcroft, a dog handler at our Dog Section in Chelmsford, was the first officer on the scene and arrived to find a man being given CPR by a paramedic and member of the public.

Pc Ashcroft said: “The member of public and paramedic giving CPR were doing a fantastic job but I knew that performing chest compressions over a long period can be really tiring so I began assisting.”

The paramedic and Pc Ashcroft worked in rotation to continue chest compressions on the man and managed to restart his heart.

He was taken to Lister Hospital, Stevenage where he continues to receive treatment.

Following the incident, the man’s family contacted our Force Control Room to pass on their thanks and say how grateful they were to everyone involved.

The victim’s wife said: “The prompt action and the compassion that was shown to me and my son by all emergency services was second to none.

“The emergency responders and the bystanders have undoubtedly saved my husband’s life. I would welcome the opportunity to thank the member of the public that initiated the resuscitation personally.”

Pc Ashcroft said: “I’m really pleased we were able to give the man the best chance of survival and hope he makes a full recovery.”