A FOOTBALL fan was brought back from the brink thanks to the quick thinking of police, paramedics and an off-duty nurse.

The man, in his late sixties, had just left Roots Hall after watching Southend United play Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup, when he became seriously ill and stopped breathing outside St Mary’s Church in Victoria Avenue.

Sgt Chris Bramhill and PC Stu Francis, who were policing the football match, rushed to his aid and started CPR.

An off-duty nurse saw what was happening and helped. The collapsed man then had another piece of good fortune when paramedic Mark Davies, who was passing the scene, pulled over.

Sgt Bramhill said: “We were standing outside the pub and saw the bloke over the road on the floor. The two people who were with him said he was having an epileptic seizure.

“We realised he wasn’t breathing and he didn’t have a pulse.

“We just started doing chest compressions and the nurse came along about a minute later.

“PC Francis led the way and the nurse did chest compressions, while I used my radio to get an ambulance and checked his pulse. Luck was definitely on his side. He should buy a lottery ticket.”

The officers are now trying to track down the nurse.

Sgt Bramhill added: “Unfort-unately the nurse left the scene before I had the chance to take her details and was quite distressed, as she believed he had passed away. However, I think she needs to know this is not the case and her efforts in fact helped to save the man’s life.

“I would like to find out who the nurse is so I can thank her for her actions. I know the man’s family are also keen to thank her personally.”

The man was taken to Basildon Hospital after the incident, at 5.05pm on Saturday, and is now doing well.

The nurse has been asked to call Sgt Bramhill at Rayleigh police station on 101.

l Do you know the nurse? Were you there? Contact the Echo on 01702 321139.