A POLICE officer who suffered a heart attack while on duty in Chipping Sodbury has thanked colleagues and paramedic crews for helping to save his life.

Avon and Somerset Police Constable of 13 years Ben Perrin was at the police station in the High Street on March 17 when he collapsed after returning from an incident.

Ben, then 43, told fellow colleague PC Nathan Sollis that he was feeling unwell and minutes later was found collapsed in the station.

Officers then performed CPR and used a defibrillator.

Ben suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage and a second cardiac arrest in hospital.

After three weeks of unconsciousness Ben came around and has since gone on to make a full recovery.

On Tuesday, Ben and his family got the opportunity to thank those who saved his life.

“I can’t actually remember anything about what happened,” said Ben. I can’t remember going to work or anything on the day, I even missed Brexit.

“It was only when I started thinking properly that I realised what had happened and it was scary.

“I am not back to normal but I am rebuilding my strength.

“I was quite weak but I am getting better quickly.

“It is quite humbling to see the people that helped me, I am very grateful to them all.

“I think it is quite impressive how everyone works together as a team and so many different people are involved in keeping someone alive.

“It makes you realise that you’re not invincible, I think that a lot of people are quite surprised I’m still here. I am so grateful for my colleagues who acted so quickly.

“It is nice to meet everyone properly and say thank you because without them all I wouldn’t be here.”

PC Sollis acted quickly to save Ben’s life, with other police colleagues.

“Me and Ben had just got back from dealing with a violent male,” he explained.

“When we got back to the station Ben started to complain that he was feeling unwell.

Five minutes later we found him collapsed on the floor and all of our training kicked in.

“It is really difficult when it is a colleague so we started CPR as soon as we realised he wasn’t breathing.

“A combination of CPR and a defibrillator kept him with us until the ambulances arrived.

“I don’t see myself as a hero, I just did what I was trained to do.

“All of the NHS staff are the real heroes here.

“He keeps complaining about his chest but he said he definitely owes me a pint or two.”