A quick-thinking delivery driver saved his colleague's life when he had a suspected heart attack.

Jason Jarrett saw David Williams suddenly having a fit inside their lorry and stopped to perform chest compressions on his pal.

Mr Jarrett said his friend had stopped breathing for 30 seconds but was revived.

Paremedics rushed to the scene, took Mr Williams to hospital and said Mr Jarrett had saved his life.

Mr Jarrett, 46, of Beech Drive, Elvington, said: "It was terrifying because at first I didn't know what was happening.

"But I followed the instructions of the ambulance control on the phone.

"I am now chuffed that I was able to save his life."

The two men are both delivery contractors for Argos and are based in Aylesford.

The drama happened at 10.40am last Friday when the pair were in their lorry going through London Road in Rainham.

"I pulled him out of the lorry and he died for about 30 seconds..." - Jason Jarrett

Mr Jarrett, who was driving, explained: "Dave suddenly started having a fit.

"I know he is a Type 1 diabetic and I thought he was having a diabetic attack.

"I tried to control him by holding him and driving the lorry until I could get to somewhere safe to stop.

"I pulled him out of the lorry and he died for about 30 seconds.

"I rang 999 and they told me to massage his heart to get him breathing again and within a couple of seconds of that he started breathing.

"Then I had to do chest compressions to make sure his heart was beating as it should.

"I kept talking to Dave and even tried to have a joke with him to keep him calm and keep his spirits up.

"I then put him in the recovery position and the ambulance came and the paramedics took over.

"They confirmed that he'd had a heart attack.

"They told Dave: 'You owe your life to Jason. He saved your life '."

Mr Williams was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where there is more specialist heart care, and was allowed home on Monday.

The two workmates have only known each other for four to five weeks.

Mr Jarrett, a trained first aider, said: "Colleagues have said to me that I'm a hero but I don't think I am. I did what anybody would have done."

Mr Williams, 54, who lives with his partner at Stockett Lane, Coxheath near Maidstone, said: "I had been having chest pains for the last couple of days but I just can't remember the moment when I was taken ill.

"I just remember waking up in hospital.

"I can't go back to work for another month but if it wasn't for Jason I would never be back at work. I would not be here today at all.

"I owe him such a debt of gratitude. He is a brilliant person, 100% diamond.

"I know he would do this for anybody."

Mr Jarrett was due to visit Mr Williams at home yesterday to see how he is progressing.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “We’re delighted to hear that this patient is doing well.

"This is in no small part thanks to the quick thinking and actions of his colleague.

"Treatment provided by people prior to the arrival of ambulance crews is vital in ensuring patients have the best chance of recovering with a good outcome.

"We wish the patient well and well done to his colleague for his actions on the day."