Iceland boss thanks 'lifesaving' volunteers

Richard Walker said Becky James and Matthew Cleave, 17, saved his life when he collapsed at the London Marathon

Two volunteer medics from Somerset have been thanked by Iceland's CEO for saving his life at this year's London Marathon.

Richard Walker, who was racing to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK, said he became unconscious just over a mile from the finish line.

Becky James and Matthew Cleave, 17, from Keynsham, came to Mr Walker's aid while volunteering with St John's Ambulance.

Mr Walker said they were "absolute heroes".

The Iceland CEO said he came round with St John Ambulance volunteers piling ice on his chest in an attempt to bring his temperature down from a dangerously high 42C (108F).

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, volunteer cadet Mr Cleave said they recieved a call over the radio that someone had collapsed 200m away from the treatment centre.

"We went up and found Richard - he was in a daze and throwing up a bit - so we knew we had to get him back to the treatment centre asap, back to the doctors", he said.

Mr Walker and his colleague Simon pictured in good spirits at the start of the marathon

Mr Walker attributed his collapse to the fact he "didn't train enough and pushed way too hard on the day".

"I came to about half an hour later surrounded by an amazing team of medics, covered in ice with all sorts of things stuck in me," he said.

Ms James, who is studying for her A-Levels, said: "We were lucky on the marathon day there weren't that many patients."

Mr Walker said he could not thank those who came to his aid enough.

"They were the true heroes of the day and I owe them my life," he said.

He added: "I'm also totally in awe of everyone who ran the marathon, and all the inspiring stories behind people's motivation for doing so. Seeing all the charity efforts was just so emotional."

St John Ambulance said it hoped Mr Walker was recovering well and thanked him for his "kind words" for its "hardworking volunteers".

As well as volunteering at the London Marathon, St John Ambulance assists at West of England events such as the Bath Half Marathon, the Great Bristol Run and the Bristol Balloon Festival.