9:18AM, Sat Sep 15, 2012

Roadside Heart Attack Death: Good Samaritan Performs CPR In Desperate Attempt To Save Man’s Life

By India Adams Location: North Tyneside

Video: Nigel Oxman tried to save a man taken ill at the wheel

A good Samaritan who performed CPR on a driver who suffered a heart attack at the wheel has spoken of his efforts to save the man’s life.

Nigel Oxman was travelling northbound on the A19 when he saw the man’s car veer off the motorway onto a slip road next to the Holystone Roundabout.

Mr Oxman parked behind the vehicle and with the help of another motorist smashed the car window and began performing CPR on the driver.

Despite his best efforts the man was pronounced dead after being taken to North Tyneside General Hospital.

Mr Oxman, who own Justin Oxman Cars in Sunderland, said: “I tried my best but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.

“I thought I’d saved his life because I’d got him breathing again, but to find out later that he’d died was just awful.

“It’s a moment that will live with me for the rest of my life. I haven’t been able to sleep properly since just thinking about what happened.

“I’d just like to say to the man’s family that I’m so sorry for their loss. I can’t imagine how they’re feeling.”

The incident happened when Mr Oxman was traveling from Sunderland to his home in Killingworth, North Tyneside, where he lives with his partner and their two children.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Police received a report that the driver of a vehicle travelling north on the A19 had been taken ill at the slip road near the Holystone roundabout.

“He was taken to hospital by paramedics where he was later pronounced dead. There is no third party involvement.”

The North East Ambulance Service received a call at 20:50 to the slip road at the A19, Whitley Road and sent a Rapid Response Unit.

They were on the scene at 20:53 where they discovered a male in his 40's had suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to North Tyneside General Hospital.

A spokesperson for NEAS said: “As an emergency service, we encourage as many people as possible to learn basic CPR.

“The technique is really simple to learn, and can keep someone alive until a patient is attended to by a medical professional.

“Every year, 30,000 people in the UK have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. These patients require immediate attention to maximise their chances of recovery.

“While CPR does not guarantee survival, it can buy vital time, which could be the difference between life or death.

“We applaud any member of the public who administers CPR.”

Individuals or organisations interested in learning CRP skills should contact NEAS on 0191 430 2050.