A HEART attack survivor has thanked two Rhayader firefighters for saving his life.

Wyn Hope, 50, suffered a “massive” heart attack at his home earlier this month after feeling unwell.

Firefighter Andrew James did CPR before his crew member Rhys Thomas entered the room with a defibrillator, that was fundraised by the local community, to shock Mr Hope back to life.

“You both went above and beyond what was expected of you as neither of you were on duty and both so modest too but you are heroes,” Mr Hope said.

He was then flown to Morriston Hospital in Swansea by air ambulance and rushed into the operating theatre.

Mr Hope is now resting at home in Rhayader.

He said: “I’m back at home and on the long road to recovery. Morriston Hospital, the air ambulance crew and ambulance services were all amazing.

“The ambulance service, air ambulance crews, surgeons and nurses at Morriston Cardiology Unit could not praise the efforts of these two firemen enough; without their actions I wouldn’t be sat here today.”

“I will be forever indebted to you both, I can never thank you enough”.

Rhayader Fire Station said the crew were “so pleased” to see Mr Hope is recovering from his heart attack.

“The defib used was the one from the front of the station that ourselves and St John Cymru raised money for, walking around the Elan Valley in full kit.,” they said.

“We have many public access defibs in the area managed by Rhayader & District Defib Group. And want to stress the importance of knowing how to use them.

“Statistics show, without a defib this may have been a lot different.”

In Wales more than 5,000 hospital admissions each year are for heart attacks.

On average 14 people are admitted every day to hospital which is the equivalent to one around every 100 minutes.

“It just shows how important community defibs are,” Rhayader & District Defib Group said.