A rugby coach was resuscitated by spectators on the pitch after he suffered a heart attack during a match between coaches and players in Canterbury.

City firefighter Mark Jones is in intensive care in a coma after collapsing at the club’s ground in Merton Lane on Sunday at 1pm.

The 40-year-old, who is the rugby club’s under-16 coach, was taking part in a game during the end of season presentationsfor the junior sections of the club.

Mr Jones – who is an incident commander at Canterbury fire station - collapsed at the pitchside and received life-saving treatment from trained spectators, who used the club’s defibrillator to keep him alive.

He was then rushed to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford by ambulance crews, where he remains in a critical condition.

In a club statement, chairman Giles Hilton said all thoughts are with Mr Jones and his family.

He said: “As a community club run by volunteers, including Mark, we are concerned for him and his family, and our thoughts are with them all at this very difficult time.

“We would also like to extend our thanks to the emergency services and the air ambulance

personnel.

“We regard it as very poignant that the automated external defibrillator machine used to help treat Mark was purchased from the funds raised at last year’s mini and junior presentation day.”

South East Coast Ambulance spokesman Richard Airey praised spectators for their quick-thinking actions following Mr Jones’ collapse.

He said: “We were called shortly before 1pm after reports a man had collapsed and stopped breathing. He subsequently went into cardiac arrest.

“We sent two ambulances and two further vehicles to the scene and also assigned the air ambulance.

“People at the scene quickly dialled 999 and started CPR. They used a defibrillator until our clinicians arrived and we continued to resuscitate.

“He was taken to William Harvey Hospital in a serious condition. We want to thank everyone at the scene for their quick thinking actions.”