A LIFESAVER who helped resuscitate a woman in the city centre said he “had to act in the moment” as the crisis unfolded – and has now encouraged everyone to learn CPR.

The incident took place shortly after 1pm on Monday when a woman collapsed outside River Island, in Lion Walk, Colchester.

A rapid emergency response then followed as paramedics, police, first responders, and an air ambulance were all called out to assist the woman who was suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.

Before the emergency services could arrive though, a member of the facilities team at Lion Walk spotted the woman who had been taken ill and stepped in to perform CPR.

Gazette: Heroic - Stuart Moore stepped into perform CPRHeroic - Stuart Moore stepped into perform CPR (Image: Stuart Moore)

Stuart Moore, 46, who has worked at Lion Walk for nine years, told the Gazette he could see the woman’s condition was “going downhill”.

He said: “I came round the corner and I saw a lady on the floor outside River Island.

“I introduced myself, told them I was a first aider and asked them if I could be of any assistance – I was assessing the lady to see what had happened and things went a little bit pear shaped.

Gazette: Responders - Oliver Ingrouille and Keaton Eccles were on the scene and took over from Mr Moore after a couple of minutesResponders - Oliver Ingrouille and Keaton Eccles were on the scene and took over from Mr Moore after a couple of minutes (Image: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)

“She was going downhill very quickly because she was struggling to breathe.

“She then stopped breathing, so I realised I had to do something quite quickly – that’s when I started CPR.

“With advice from the emergency services on the telephone, I put her on her back and started CPR chest compression until the first responders turned up to take over.”

The first responders from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service then took over with a defibrillator.

An air ambulance also landed on the priory in case the woman needed airlifting to hospital.

Bosses at the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed the woman was eventually transported by road to Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital for treatment.

Gazette: Response - an air ambulance was also called out, and landed on the the prioryResponse - an air ambulance was also called out, and landed on the the priory (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Moore has now encouraged everyone to learn CPR.

He added: “It is challenging but it is a very good thing for people to learn because you can make a difference people’s lives.”

When asked what might have happened had he not been there, he said: “It does come across your mind but you can’t really think like that – you have to act in the moment and rely on your training and do the best you can.”