A MAN who had a massive heart attack on the badminton court at a Forest leisure centre is alive today thanks to the swift action of staff.

The 69-year-old from Cinderford was playing at the Forest Council-run centre at Coleford when his aorta – the largest artery in the body – burst.

Duty supervisor Dave Cantwell and other members of staff immediately gave first aid until paramedics arrived.

The man, who the family has asked not to be named, was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and then transferred to a specialist unit at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Paramedics and the senior surgeon at Bristol said the action of leisure centre staff had been critical to saving the man's life, the Forest Council was told.

Mr Cantwell was presented with a £40 gift token by the chairman of the Forest Council, Councillor Norman Stephens, at a meeting of the full council.

The 23-year-old, who has been a duty supervisor since January this year, said the regular emergency training that all staff go through "just kicked in".

He also praised his colleagues who assisted in keeping the man alive and the trainer-assessors who lead the training sessions.

He said: "The training just kicked and we went through the procedure A colleague took over

(resuscitation) without question.

"We have regular training and the trainer-assessors are very good. We go over and over it which keeps it fresh."

The man's family contacted the council to praise the life-saving staff.

His son told the Review: "My father has made a recovery but it is thanks to the leisure centre staff that he is alive.

"We wanted to extend our sincerest thanks to the staff who saved his life – but we could't believe how young they all were!

"The training is very good and all that training is worthwhile."

Earlier this year Mr Cantwell was involved in saving the life of a 13-year-old boy who was swimming at Lydney Leisure Centre.