A DOCTOR wants residents to follow the example of a first aid hero who revived a clinically dead mincab driver.

Fortunately for Stephen Edmed, of Fenns Way, Hextable, help was on hand when he suffered a heart attack after pulling over his cab in Northend Road, Erith.

Had it not been for the quick thinking of off-duty police sergeant Dale Openshaw, the grandfather- of-two would not have survived.

The first-aid trained officer rushed to help after seeing the 61-year-old slumped over the wheel of his car at approximately 5.30pm.

He called an ambulance and began chest compression and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, known as CPR, in a bid to restart Mr Edmed's heart.

Paramedics arived within 10 minutes and rushed the driver of 21 years to Darent Valley Hospital, Darenth Wood Road, Dartford.

Sgt Openshaw, who is based in Woolwich, said: "He had no pulse and was going grey so I jumped straight in, checked he was not breathing and began CPR.

"I gave a few blows in his mouth and for a moment he started to breathe but stopped again. After about 10 minutes the ambulance crew turned up and took over."

The 33-year-old added: "It was a good day's work, even though I was off duty. I felt good when I got home because I knew I'd given him a fighting chance."

Senior resuscitation officer at Darent Valley, Dr Rob Morrison, who treated Mr Edmed on arrival, said: "Not a lot of people can or will step in to help in a situation such as this.

"The sergeant doubled Mr Edmed's chances of his survival because he prolonged the window of opportunity for us to get to him.

"The average survival rate from an attack outdoors like this is six or seven per cent, which boils down to the lack of knowledge in people on the scene who could help."

Dr Morrison believes survival rates would improve if more people were first aid trained and said: "CPR is a simple technique any member of the public could learn.

"It's part of what we call the chain of survival. The 999 call is the first vital link and the second is the CPR because it means they have prepared the body for the paramedics."

Speaking from hospital two weeks after his August 2 collapse, Mr Edmed, who drives for Threes and Fours, of Pier Road, Erith, said: "By all accounts I should not be here.

"The sergeant did a wonderful thing for me and is definitely a hero, what can I say other than a big thank you."

He extended his thanks to hospital staff and paramedics and added: "They have all been brilliant and I'm grateful to them all.

"I think they had me written me off so they have done a really excellent job to put me right."

Doctors say Mr Edmed has made a good recovery and will now undergo surgery to have a defibrillator fitted which would automatically restart his heart should he suffer another arrest.

If you are interested in free first aid training, email heartstart@bhf.org.uk