WILTSHIRE police commissioner Angus Macpherson has thanked the air ambulance crew that helped to save his life.

Mr Macpherson suffered a heart attack during a meeting in Trowbridge with South West Wilts MP Dr Andrew Murrison back in May.

Dr Murrison started resuscitation before local paramedics and Wiltshire Air Ambulance arrived, then the Great Western Air Ambulance flew in with critical care experts paramedic John Wood and doctor James Tooley on board.

Mr Macpherson spent three weeks in hospital and is making a gradual return to work, but one of his first jobs was to visit the medics at the base in Filton, Bristol.

He said: “It was lovely to be able to meet James and John, and thank them for all they did for me. I was also very interested to visit the base, to hear all about the charity and see the helicopter.”

He explained he could remember nothing of the incident . “It happened on a Thursday and I am blank from the weekend before. I went on a holiday to Paris from the Monday to the Wednesday, and I can’t even remember anything about that.”

Mr Wood said: “We always like to see ex-patients, and to hear how well they are doing.

“It was a pleasure to be able to see Angus, and show him around the helicopter.”

Dr Tooley added: “I am pleased to see Angus looking so well. It was nice to be able to spend some time with him, talking to him about the incident, and telling him more about what we do.”

Both air ambulances are funded by charity. The Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which has been a joint project with Wiltshire Police for the past 24 years, is due to fly solo from December and needs £2.5 million a year.

The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, which is described as a flying accident and emergency department, is funded by public donations to the tune of £1.75 million a year.