Quick-thinking supermarket staff helped save a man’s life after he suffered a heart attack in the car park.

Sandy Walker, 73, collapsed near his car outside the shop after he finished paying for his shopping in Sainsbury’s at Dartford.

He regained consciousness in the ambulance taking him to Darent Valley Hospital where medical experts told him he was lucky to be alive.

Mr Walker, of Eton Way, Dartford, is expected to make a full recovery but doctors are carrying out a series of tests to establish why he collapsed.

The 73-year-old fell to the floor in front of Sainsbury’s employee Thom Reilly who rushed inside to grab first aiders Serena Ferris, Chelsea Dixon and Nick White. The pensioner was also helped by customer Sue Archer.

The trained trio remained with Mr Walker until paramedics arrived to take him to hospital – and even took his shopping back with them.

Mr Walker’s daughter Tina later arrived to pick up the bags and thank staff for helping her father.

Mr Walker said: “It was a very scary and unpleasant experience. They told me I was very lucky to be here.

“I want to thank the staff at Sainsbury’s and paramedics personally for their speed and professionalism. I will when I get out. Tina told me the staff even collected my shopping for me. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.”

Two ambulances and two paramedic cars were called to the car park off Instone Road on Tuesday, May 19 at 3.40pm. A Kent Air Ambulance also landed in Central Park before Mr Walker was taken by road to hospital.

An ambulance spokesman praised supermarket staff for their response to the incident.

He said: “We are really pleased to hear the gentleman is recovering well. We are always extremely grateful when care is provided at the scene prior to arrival of paramedics.

“The actions of Sainsbury’s staff will certainly have given the man the best chance of survival.”

Sainsbury’s Dartford manager Mark Maidment added: “I’ve got a really great team here at Dartford and I’m very proud of them.

“I’m delighted that their quick-thinking and first-aid training kicked in.”