Former servicemen, known as Paul and Ashley for security reasons, saved the life of Whitchurch man Norman Thrower after he collapsed from a heart attack on Hampshire Golf Course

The former servicemen, who can only be named as Paul and Ashley for security reasons, rushed to the aid of Norman Thrower after he collapsed on the fifth tee at the Hampshire Golf Club.

According to the two men, doctors say that Mr Thrower, who is in his 80s, suffered a ‘massive’ heart attack and without their timely intervention he would likely have died.

The former servicemen, who were playing a causal round of golf at the time, discovered a collapsed Mr Thrower as they moved round to the next tee.

After rushing to his aid they quickly rang the emergency services.

The pair took turns to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Whitchurch resident Mr Thrower for 20 minutes while they awaited the arrival of the emergency services.

During that period the pair say that Mr Thrower stopped breathing on four different occasions, but each time they managed to resuscitate him.

Paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance soon arrived and used a defibrillator to kick-start Mr Thrower’s heart before flying him to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

Talking about the experience, Paul, a dad-of-three, said: “As we came round the trees I saw a man lying on the ground.

“We did some off-roading and burst a tyre on the way to him.

“His friend was shocked so I quickly called 999 and they asked me if I knew CPR.

“Me and Paul had both done some training in the Army so we listened to the operator and started pumping his chest.

“He started gasping for air and stopped breathing but I carried on pumping and he started to breath again.

“We put him in the recovery position but he stopped breathing again so I carried on pumping before Ash took over.”

Ash, also a father-of-three, said: “It was really physically difficult.

“We kept swapping over because it was a lot of pressure on the arms.

“It was amazing that we’d learned these things so long ago but under pressure the brain still remembers them.”

Thanks to Ash and Paul’s efforts Mr Thrower survived the heart attack and is said to be recovering well in hospital.

Speaking through Paul, Mr Thrower’s wife said: “He is doing fantastic and he is enjoying his crosswords and books again and is his usual funny self, joking and playful and comical.

“The doctor commented on Ash and Paul’s efforts and said that if they were not there Norman wouldn’t be with us today.

“Thank you.”

Commenting on the fact that their efforts had saved Mr Thrower’s life, Paul said: “It’s quite humbling. But the main thing is that he will get to see his grandchildren again.

“The doctors have said he’s a thousand times better which we are over the moon about.”

Ash added: “I’m just happy he is OK.

“It gives him the chance to come here and play another round of golf.

“We’d both like to have a game with him when he is well again.”

Ash and Paul, who are both directors of a roofing company, believe more people should be trained and confident about performing CPR in an emergency.

Paul said: “I would hope that if it was my dad that someone would do the same thing.

“We owe our skills to the British Army but I think everybody should have some basic idea of first aid.

“It could mean the difference between life or death for people.”

Both Ash and Paul were full of praise for the 999 operator who guided them through the process as well as for the paramedics from HIOWAA who took over Mr Thrower’s care on arrival.

The charity have equally praised their efforts and highlighted their actions as an example of what people should do if they witness someone collapse.

HIOWW spokesperson, Dr Nick Foster, said: “I make a point of personally finding the bystanders who performed CPR and thanking them.

"Without their intervention while the ambulance service is on the way, the patient's chance of making a meaningful recovery is much much worse.

"We can do all sorts of clever things when we get there but if someone hasn't been "keeping the patient going" in the meantime, our chances are so much slimmer.

"It is crucial that as many members of the public as possible get some training in basic first aid and resuscitation.

"You don't have to get it completely right, but we know that doing something is much better than doing nothing.

"Remember the most likely person you are going to use these skills on is a loved one or family member - don't leave it too late to learn or refresh the skills you need to help save a life."

Hampshire Golf Club president Wilf Soper was also thankful to the pair.

He said: "They did an absolutely tremendous job.

"I've spoken to people about it and they say without their help Mr Thrower wouldn't be with us today.

"When we heard he had collapsed we were all concerned he has been a valued member of this club for many years and always takes part in competitions and is part of our Seniors team.

"We wish him a speedy recovery."