Man thanks stranger who gave CPR on train to Peterborough

Keenan Knight (left) helped save the life of Michael Foley (right)

A man has thanked a stranger who helped save his life when he suffered a heart attack on a train.

Michael Foley, 63, boarded the London King's Cross to Peterborough service but soon collapsed after feeling unwell and his face turned purple.

Keenan Knight, 49, from Sheffield, heard a commotion and performed CPR.

The pair have since met up at a pub in Newark, Nottinghamshire, where Mr Foley praised the plumber for his swift actions.

Mr Knight said: "I thought he was dead, slumped to one side, his head was purple - I'd never seen that before.

"I could not find a pulse but started CPR, right there in the aisle of the train. I got a right sweat on and asked passengers to call 999."

When paramedics arrived, Mr Foley was carried on to the platform at King's Cross and a defibrillator was deployed.

"After 20 minutes, I saw colour return to his cheeks. The paramedics thanked me and told me I could go home," added Mr Knight.

"The last time I saw Mr Foley he was stripped down to his underpants, lying behind a cordoned off area on the platform, surrounded by about eight paramedics. I really wanted to know the outcome."

Mr Foley, from Stonea in Cambridgeshire, spent the next two weeks at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London before being discharged.

Mr Knight (left) shared a "manly cuddle" with Mr Foley (right)

To mark the occasion, the pair met up for lunch at a Nottinghamshire pub.

"There were no words to express my gratitude," said Mr Foley.

"'Thank you' is not enough - I just wanted to smother him in a big, manly cuddle."

Mr Knight added: "Michael was paying that day, so I ordered the biggest steak on the menu."