Walking to the bus stop from his home in Linlithgow Bridge, the 73-year-old suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the way.

His breathing stopped and his pulse faded but fortunately for him, an off-duty policewoman, an accident and emergency nurse and a cardiac nurse were passing by.

David Adams (35), pulled up when he saw the policewoman kneeling over Mr James.

He said: "I could see this man lying face down. There was no pulse and no breathing at that point. I was wondering how long he had been lying there."

He gave Mr James mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while the police officer started compressions.

Mr Adams, who works at St John's Hospital's accident and emergency department, said: "I just wanted to give him the best chance possible before the ambulance arrived."

The pair were soon joined by fellow nurse Fiona Low, also in the area at the time.

Ms Low said: "We followed the resuscitation guidelines surrounded by a group of passers-by. I felt my knees were going to give up – but we
certainly were not going to."

An ambulance soon arrived to take Marcus to hospital and carry on the work of the medical team.

Mr James, who taught children with special needs at Forrester High School for almost 20 years, said: "I'm so thankful to them. The angel of the Lord was there with us that day, I am convinced of that."

Making a good recovery since the incdent, his wife Margaret is glad to have him at home.

She said: "The passers-by couldn't have come at a better time and we are very thankful."

The couple, from Linlithgow Bridge, have two children – a son who works as a doctor and a daughter who is a nurse – and two grandchildren.


editorial@journalandgazette.co.uk