An off-duty firefighter gave lifesaving CPR to a man in cardiac arrest in Saffron Walden.

Dane North, an on-call firefighter from Newport Fire Station, was on his way home from firefighter training when he got an alert on the app Good Sam, saying that a 71-year-old was in cardiac arrest.

Dane was first on the scene, where he found the man's wife giving him CPR under instruction from the ambulance service.

He immediately took over, assuring the woman that her husband was in safe hands with more responders on the way.

After giving CPR for 10 minutes, Dane was joined by a first responder - who happened to be a former firefighter Dane had worked with in the past.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Dane with his colleagues at Newport Fire Station, which was crowned 'Station of the Year'Dane with his colleagues at Newport Fire Station, which was crowned 'Station of the Year' (Image: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)

The pair gave CPR for a further 25 minutes before they were able to get a pulse, and the man was then taken to hospital by paramedics.

Dane said: "I’m so glad I got the alert when I did as I was minutes from the scene.

"It really was a right place right time situation and I’m so glad the man’s wife acted quickly to begin CPR. 

"My training kicked in and it really was exhausting giving CPR for more than 30 minutes, especially after breathing apparatus training.

"But we couldn’t give up and I’m so glad we persevered and were able to save him.

"I’d highly recommend everyone does some form of CPR training - you never know when you’ll need it to save a life."

Dane is one of 13 on-call firefighters at Newport Fire Station, which he balances alongside his career in the military.

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He said: "If you live or work within five minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be paid to protect your community as an on-call firefighter too.

"It’s a really rewarding role and I can’t imagine my life without it. Our crew is a close knit team and it’s great to feel part of something bigger that really helps people.

"Pop into your local station if you’re keen and chat to some of the people working to keep your community safe, you won’t regret it."