A DORCHESTER man has paid tribute to the ‘guardian angel’ who helped save his life.

Alan Wotton, 78, collapsed earlier this year in February whilst out shopping with his wife, Erica, in Dorchester.

He suffered from a cardiac arrest, lost consciousness and fell to the ground in Prince of Wales Road.

Felicity Trimmer, a foundation doctor at Dorset County Hospital, was one of a number of people who offered help before emergency services arrived.

Alan’s wife of 52 years, Erica, said said: “They acted under Felicity’s supervision and she had her voice raised: ‘Come on, Alan, you can do it.’”

Felicity, 28, was on a day off when the incident happened. She made sure Alan’s airway was unobstructed and provided breaths.

A first responder soon arrived and, under Felicity’s lead, Alan was shocked three times using a defibrillator. Felicity then stabilised Alan once he came back around.

“I was desperate for him to make it,” she said. “His heart stopped and we brought it back again with good early CPR.”

Alan was then taken to Dorset County Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma for two and a half weeks.

Describing the incident, Alan said: “I had driven back from Torquay the night before. We went shopping and the next thing I remember it was two and a half weeks later. You think, ‘Oh, I’m in hospital and I’ve got this mask on my face.’ “That’s the thing I didn’t really like.

“I had never been in as a patient. It catches up with you after a lifetime of being active.”

He stayed at the hospital for two months and had a stent and defibrillator fitted. Felicity revealed she visited him each day.

She said: “I’m really pleased that it’s all worked out. He’s such a nice chap. He will always be my friend.”

For her efforts that day, Felicity has since received a Certificate of Commendation from the Royal Humane Society.

Alan said Felicity had become an honorary granddaughter of his.

He added: “I have got to pay tribute to the hospital and my guardian angel – what I call her now. I’m definitely going to join the Friends of the Hospital to contribute something to keep the hospital running. It’s been a fantastic recovery. I just want to get back to (playing) bowls.”