Off-duty firefighter commended for saving heart attack badminton player

Martin Farmer, who is based at the city's Lowedges fire station, came to the aid of 63-year-old Dave Western at Abbeydale Badminton Club in September last year.

Mr Farmer was watching his children play badminton when he saw Mr Western collapse on another court. The 52-year-old firefighter rushed to his aid to carry out CPR until an ambulance arrived and paramedics were then able to use a defibrillator to get Mr Western's heart beating again.

The pair have now been reunited at Lowedges fire station, where Mr Farmer was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his efforts.

Mr Western said: "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Martin.

"I feel so lucky that he saw what was happening and acted so swiftly."

Medical staff have told Mr Western that he would have died had it not been for the actions of the firefighter, who received CPR training from his colleagues Dave Shepherd and Al Jones.

Mr Farmer said: "I didn't have any time to think about what was happening, but the training I'd received at the fire service gave me the confidence to administer CPR. It just goes to show how valuable this first aid training can be, whether we're responding to a 999 call or off-duty. It is great that my actions have been recognised but even better to see that Mr Western has made a full recovery."

A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said that Mr Western is now recovering following double heart bypass surgery.