Hero doctor Alastair Mulcahy, of Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital, has been given a top accolade for helping to carry out life-saving open heart surgery on a pub floor.

Dr Mulcahy, 34, and Dr Heather Clark were each presented with a Pride of Britain Award by the Daily Mirror .

The award was for acting beyond the call of duty in saving 22-year-old Stephen Niland.

Anaesthetist Dr Mulcahy was on secondment to the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service when he and Dr Clark, who were off duty, received a call after Mr Niland suffered a stab wound in his chest.

They had to use a car to travel to the pub in Stratford, East London, where the incident had taken place, because a helicopter was not available. When they saw Mr Niland lying on the pub floor, they knew they had to take immediate action.

The injury he had suffered was life-threatening, even though the stab wound was small.

They began an open-heart operation and Dr Clark released a blood clot and massaged Mr Niland's heart until it started again. Dr Mulcahy put a finger over the wound to close it and held it there for 20 minutes while Mr Niland was taken to hospital.

After the award ceremony, Dr Mulcahy said: "It is an amazing feeling getting an award like this, but it is not for me personally. We are part of a team, and it is for all of us."

Hero doctor: Alastair Mulcahy.

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