Off-duty nurse gives man 'second chance at life'

Eleanor Pike is a nurse at King's Mill Hospital

An off-duty nurse who helped save the life of a man who collapsed is calling for everyone to learn CPR.

Eleanor Pike was walking her dog with her partner Rachel when she saw Phil Seager on the ground near the River Trent in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on 29 June.

The 29-year-old, who works at King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, spent 10 minutes administering CPR before paramedics revived Mr Seager, 83, with a defibrillator.

Ms Pike said CPR was "such a valuable skill", adding: "I've given Phil another chance at life."

Mr Seager spent a month in hospital recovering

"It was not just me, but, if I had not started CPR, I don't know if he would have survived," she added.

After spotting Mr Seager, Ms Pike said she had gone to "make sure everything was OK", but realised there "was no sign of life".

"I had to get somebody to help me because it is very tiring doing CPR," she said.

Mr Seager spent four weeks at Lincoln County Hospital after collapsing and has since reunited with Ms Pike.

The pair were reunited two months after Mr Seager's collapse

"It was just a gift that Eleanor was there," he said.

"I'm eternally grateful. I'm not religious but luck was on my side that day.

"I'm very proud to have met her."

The pair have since become friends and now talk to each other weekly.

Phil Bolton, chief nurse at Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust, which runs King's Mill Hospital, said: "We are incredibly proud of Eleanor for putting her training into action – it's very different doing CPR beside the River Trent compared to in a hospital.

"We're delighted that it was successful and has given Phil more time with his family and friends.

"Survival rates for people who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting are incredibly low.

"I'd encourage everyone to learn CPR and how to use a defib so that those having a sudden cardiac arrest have the best chance of surviving."