Former nurse saves fellow binman with CPR

Dan Gardiner (right) said that Matko Spondreht (left) saved his life

A former nurse who now works as a refuse collector has encouraged others to learn CPR after he saved a colleague's life.

Matko Spondreht, 32, was collecting bins in St Albans when his co-worker, Dan Gardiner, complained he did not feel well and then stopped breathing.

After failing to find a pulse, Mr Spondreht laid him across three seats in the bin lorry and began performing CPR until Mr Gardiner started breathing again.

Mr Spondreht, who had asked another colleague to call an ambulance, said: "I'm sure a lot of people out there don't expect to need [CPR skills] but it can be such a difference maker, those minutes are precious."

"I know if CPR is needed, the sooner it is started, the better the outcome," he added.

Mark Southgate, operations manager at Veolia, said: "I'm incredibly proud, he's totally a hero"

Mr Gardiner, 49, from St Albans, is now back on the bin-collecting route, alongside with the man he credits for saving his life.

He said: "There's not enough words in the world to say to Matt. Thank you, there's nothing more say.

"[The hospital] said if I wasn't with him, I wouldn't be here today."

Mr Spondreht, who lives in Dunstable, recalled: "His face was pale, his eyes were wide open but I don't think he was looking at anything.

"He exhaled really loud, like air being let out of a balloon, and he wasn't breathing after that.

"He looks good now. He looks like old Dan. I'm really glad he's back."

• LISTEN: The work colleagues tell their story to BBC Three Counties Radio

Mr Spondreht said he was glad his colleague was back to work and looking well

Employer Veolia gave the duo an award at an employee of the quarter event in St Albans.

Mark Southgate, operations manager, said it had been "an easy one to give out".

He added: "I've been here 30 years and that's the first time I've know of this happening.

"I'm incredibly proud. He's totally a hero because he just stepped in and got on with it."