Man thanks stranger who gave CPR on train to Peterborough

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.

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."

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