A heart bypass patient who died for 15 minutes is “eternally grateful” to the passers-by who saved his life.

Ron Collins, 65, collapsed in the street while fixing his car lock.

Trained first aider Luke Songer, 21, was cycling home for lunch when he saw the retired van driver underneath the car in Holloway Road, Heybridge.

Finding he had no pulse, Luke, of Crescent Road, flagged down a passing driver and asked her to dial 999 while he started cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Richard Banks, 60, of Heybridge Basin, who was also cycling past and is a first aider, saw him and helped until a first responder with a defibrillator arrived, followed by an ambulance and air ambulance.Dad of three Mr Collins is now back at home in Holloway Road.

* Full story in this week's Standard.