TWO Teignmouth care home staff saved the life of a builder who had a heart attack.

They rushed to help when Dave Gover collapsed and brought him back to life with resuscitation.

The pair – Neil Price, 43, the manager of the Neilston Retirement Home at the New Road-Woodway Road junction, and senior carer and nurse Jane Westcott, 23, the daughter of the proprietors – said they were just pleased to have been able to give first aid until the arrival of paramedics and the air ambulance.

Mr Gover, 52, had been working at Neilston when he went to a garage next door to pick up some materials, and collapsed.

It was witnessed by Joy and John Westcott, the owners, who immediately called for help, and Mr Price and Miss Westcott ran across.

‘He had stopped breathing and Jane and I carried out resuscitation techniques for several minutes until he started breathing and we felt a pulse.

‘The ambulance paramedics took over when they arrived and they did a superb job.

‘Jane and I are just really pleased that we were able to help.’

Mrs Westcott said they had known Mr Gover, who is single, for 27 years, and he was ‘like family’.

‘I am really proud of Neil and Jane – they kept calm and did well.

‘Jane went to see him in hospital and he is recovering, He said he wants to get home to Teignmouth as soon as possible.’

The air ambulance landed in the grounds of flats in nearby Higher Woodway Road, and then flew Mr Gover to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital for specialist treatment.