Dad-to-be saved by stranger after mid-run collapse

A mother-to-be has hailed the quick-thinking of a passer-by who saved her partner's life after he suffered a cardiac arrest while out running.

Dora Telek, who is seven months pregnant with the couple's first child, called Simon Gooch "a hero" and said it "could have been a completely different outcome" had he not given CPR to her partner Ryan Johns.

He was just 400m into his usual run in Sprowston, near Norwich, on Tuesday when he fell ill.

"I've got a little kid on the way and he made sure that I was able to see him," said Johns, 32, who is now recovering at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with his partner at his bedside.

While Johns was in hospital, Telek searched on Facebook for the stranger who stopped to help and they have since been in touch.

Johns is looking forward to shaking hands with the man he credits with saving his life once he is out of hospital.

But Gooch, 35, who jumped out of his car after noticing something was wrong, said he did not consider himself a hero.

"I just hope someone would do that for me or my family," he said.

Johns, a service engineer for a laundry equipment company, is physically active and was training for a marathon.

He said it had been "just like any other day" when he left his home, but the next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital.

Gooch spotted him near Sprowston Fire Station, close to the couple's home in Old Catton, as he drove to work at about 16:00 BST.

"I just saw someone leaning against a fence and thought it looked a bit weird," he said.

"I went round the roundabout to make sure he is OK and by the time I turned up, he was face-down on the floor."

By this time, Johns was suffering a cardiac arrest and needed urgent first aid.

Gooch said he jumped out of the car and began flagging cars down before beginning CPR.

He continued doing so until an ambulance arrived 10 minutes later, after which the crew were able to resuscitate Johns.

He had no ID on him when he arrived at hospital and was given a made-up name until he could be identified.

His partner was at a CrossFit class when she found out what had happened, having received a call from Johns's father at about 18:00.

She said: "Initially, I saw the man I plan to live my life with – the father of my baby – with tubes hanging out everywhere.

"You don't know what is going to happen; what the chances are of him waking up and coming home."

Johns was woken from a medically induced coma on Wednesday.

"I'm waiting for further scans on my heart," he said.

"This is the first time anything like this has happened but maybe I have had some heart palpitations before.

"It has been a bit of a whirlwind."

After tracing Gooch through a Facebook community group, Telek said: "Thank you is not a big enough word.

"If he didn't act as quickly as he did, it could have been a completely different outcome.

"Simon made sure that Ryan's brain had oxygen and blood pumping around his body.

"He had to be shocked back to life by the ambulance crew."

Gooch, who runs a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in Norwich, has downplayed his actions.

"I've got a young boy myself so it is good to see that he will hopefully recover and be there for his child," he said.

Gooch had taken first aid courses before and had a refresher two weeks ago.

He added: "I think the main thing is to be curious. If you see someone who doesn't look well or distressed, ask if they are OK or go and have a look.

"That is where it all begins – try to care about and help other people."

Despite being prepared, Gooch said the incident has left him "shaken".

"It has been a bit emotional. All the things going on in my personal life hit me because seeing that happen is a bit confronting."

The couple hope to meet him soon.

Johns said: "I want to shake his hand and let him know what he managed to do.

"Without the CPR, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you now."

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