Train driver David Graham meets hen party nurses who helped save him

A train driver who had a heart attack at the controls of his Trans-Pennine Express has been reunited with the passengers who helped save his life.

David Graham, 50, from Liverpool, suffered chest pains driving the Scarborough to Liverpool train on a stretch of track in North Yorkshire.

He lost consciousness seconds after stopping his train near Malton.

An appeal for people with medical training was met by nurses from Preston returning from a seaside hen party.

The nurses immediately went to Mr Graham's aid, treating him on the floor of his cab and calling in the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The helicopter was able to touch down close to the stranded train.

'Guardian angels'

Mr Graham was reunited with six of the nurses, from Royal Preston Hospital, at Manchester's Piccadilly station.

He said: "They're my guardian angels.

"Without them I certainly wouldn't be here and I can't thank them enough. They're absolutely marvellous."

Nurse Kathryn Jackson, who called 999, said: "It's fantastic to see him back on his feet.

"We could see him leaning over in the cab so we knew something was wrong even before his workmate shouted for help. We got him into the recovery position and did what we could."

A party of nurses was travelling on the train when the driver was taken ill

The nurses had been to Scarborough for the weekend.

David's dramatic rescue last September was filmed for the first episode of a new BBC series of Helicopter Heroes.

Paramedics flew the train driver 30 miles to Castle Hill Hospital, near Hull, where doctors removed blood clots in his heart.

Mr Graham was able to return home a few days later.

Helicopter Heroes, BBC One, 09:15 BST, Monday 20 May.