Ex-MP suffers heart attacks while sailing his yacht

Sir Tim, 79, who was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Prime Minister Edward Heath in the seventies but stood down at the 1983 General Election, had two heart failures on board his yacht four miles off Bodrum. His wife Mary, 65, sent a mayday signal over the radio to the Turkish coastguard which arrived on the scene in minutes with a paramedic.

Sir Tim had a third heart attack as emergency services rushed him to Bodrum Private Hospital in the Mediterranean port town.

The former member for Richmond, who already has a heart pace maker fitted, started feeling unwell as he and his wife cruised off the French coast.

His condition had deteriorated by the time they reached Italy and he collapsed two weeks ago in Turkish waters.

Following a two-week stay in hospital Sir Tim was released on Monday. Yesterday he was full of praise for members of the Turkish emergency services.

He added: "I was very impressed by the speed that they came to my

rescue and the wonderful treatment that I have received.

"Without a doubt the Turkish emergency services and doctors have saved my life."

Sir Tim added: "Now I just want to rest a little before getting back on board.

"I love the sea and can't wait to be sailing again."