A BRIDPORT author’s family is thanking the local community for saving his life after he collapsed in the town centre.

Erich Hoyt, 65, collapsed while taking on a 10-mile run.

Luckily, locals ran to his help, performing CPR and getting him to hospital. Erich’s heart stopped twice before he was taken to Dorset County Hospital, where he is currently recovering.

Mr Hoyt is no stranger to running as he completes the 10-mile run three times a week. Although his run had taken him out into the Dorset countryside, he was “fortunate” to have collapsed across the road from Bridport Medical Centre and Lloyds Pharmacy, and in front of Drayton House Residential Care Home - where he received immediate medical attention.

Abby Smith from Lloyds Pharmacy at Bridport Medical Centre, was one of the first on the scene to give CPR before being joined by Jade Costin and Sam Paull from Drayton House in addition to a former cardiac nurse, Linda Denslow, who happened to be driving past at that moment Mr Hoyt collapsed.

Mr Hoyt’s daughter, Magdalen Hoyt, is thanking everyone who came forward to help her father in his time of need.

Magdalen said: “He is still in hospital but he is incredibly lucky to be alive.

“We wanted to thank everyone there who was able to help him. It was such an amazing response from so many people.”

Ms Hoyt believes her father was saved by the “great fortune of his accident’s location” as well as the “swift and heroic action” of helpers.

Thanks have been paid in particular to Jade Costin who administered CPR for around 20 minutes.

Ms Hoyt added: “Although the family were told by the paramedics to prepare for the worst, they have attended Erich through the last week and a half while he’s been kept alive and cared for by the wonderful staff at the Dorset County Hospital.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Bridport author Erich Hoyt

“The family is beyond grateful for Erich’s miraculous recovery and to all the people who have helped save his life.”

Erich’s wife Sarah added: “There are no words for what you’ve given us back.

“We are so very grateful and thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

“We still don’t know the name of the man who first saw Erich collapse and raised the alarm, and we would really like to thank him too, so please do get in touch.”

A spokesman from South Western Ambulance Service said: “We treated one male casualty who has collapsed with a possible cardiac arrest.

“The air ambulance was also called, but he was taken to Dorset County Hospital by road ambulance.”