'Dad told me he loved me by blinking on deathbed'

A teenager has described how her dying father's final act - blinking three times as their code for "I love you" - was something she would "hold with me for the rest of my life".

Emanuel, 53, suffered a cardiac arrest at Salford Crescent station in Greater Manchester in June 2025 and was only revived after 45 minutes of CPR by an off-duty police officer.

Even though Emanuel died 16 days later, his daughter Wiktoria said Ch Insp Michael Parker's actions had given her the "greatest gift of all" - precious extra time with her dad.

Explaining that while Emanuel had not been able to talk, she said he had communicated with his eyes and "blinked three times and then never opened his eyes again".

She said her father, who was a civil engineer, had died with family around him and it had been "very peaceful".

Wiktoria, now 17, explained: "He couldn't talk but me and him found a way of communicating through blinks.

"I said 'Dad, blinking once means yes; blinking twice means no' and then for the last time I said 'Can you blink three times to say I love you?'

"He blinked three times and then never opened his eyes again, so I think that was the greatest gift of them all.

"That's something I'm going to hold with me for the rest of my life."

About seven months after Emanuel's death, Wiktoria and her mother Claudia met the "hero" chief inspector whose actions had given them extra time together as a family.

Parker said he had been on his way home from work when he spotted Emanuel had collapsed on the floor and was not breathing.

He said adrenaline had kicked in and he "just did what any member of the public would have done".

Wiktoria said: "If it weren't for Mike, I would have just got a phone call saying he passed away and that would have been 10 times worse.

"I don't think we've got any words that could possibly describe how grateful we are."

Claudia said he was their "angel", adding: "He gave to us a very important gift - 16 days more with Emanuel."

Although Parker played down his actions, he was commended at GMP's long service awards, where he was presented with a Chief Constable's commendation.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.