A DYING man was saved three times by a group of guardian angels following a crash near Colchester.

The man, aged in his 60s, was involved in a head-on collision after a suspected heart attack on Colchester Road, West Bergholt.

When fellow drivers and police officers arrived at the scene they all played a part in saving his life.

Mechelle Todd, an officer manager from Fordham, was first at the scene.

She called the emergency services and began providing treatment.

Next was PC Matt Harkness who took over and realised the man wasn’t breathing.

He lifted him out of the car in order to provide CPR.

Adrian Stevens, an engineer also from Fordham, arrived and began providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The man started breathing again but stopped shortly afterwards.

PC Harkness and Adrian brought him back a second time before firearms officers arrived with a defibrilator.

When he stopped breathing for a third time they were aboe to restart his heart.

The man was airlifted to Basildon Hospital and remained in a medically induced coma for more than a week.

He is now in a stable condition.

The man’s wife has praised and thanked Pc Harkness, Mechelle and Adrian for their prompt response and medical attention.

The trio were also praised by the paramedics for their quick actions that saved the man’s life.

PC Harkness said: “I cannot thank Mechelle and Adrian enough, without their help and quick actions the result would have been entirely different. “They put their own lives at risk by stopping at the scene and did not hesitate in assisting with first aid.

“I really hope that the man makes a full recovery.”

Mechelle said: “Without a doubt, I’m sure the outcome could have been entirely different if not for the rapid response from the police and PC Matt Harkness, his unconditional control and determination to save the man’s life was truly admirable.”

Adrian said: “Matthew was just amazing doing his job, he didn't give up and was an inspiration to me. I believe the man is making a recovery and without a doubt he will have Matthew to thank for saving his life.”