An off-duty nurse saved the life of a grandad whose heart stopped for 10 minutes while he was on the school run.

Senior sister Sam Moynes was collecting her daughter from Swingate primary in Lordswood when she saw something was wrong.

A member of the public was about to place Geof Turner in the recovery position outside the school gates.

The 69-year-old had suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting for his grandaughter to leave class and a pulse could not be found.

Sam worked with members of the public and school staff to save Geof.

The mum of two said: “The first parent on the scene called for an ambulance and two parents ran to the school office and brought back a defibrillator after I asked them to go and see if they had one.

“The school’s first aider and another parent helped to deliver chest compressions before and after I used the defibrillator to deliver the first shock.

"Meanwhile, the school’s caretaker found some tarpaulin for people to hold up to protect young eyes from seeing the traumatic scene.”

Pupils were diverted away from the area as the life-saving treatment continued.

After 10 minutes of working on Geof, Sam gave him a second shock as the paramedics arrived and he regained a pulse.

He was given oxygen and an ECG was carried out before the ambulance took him to Medway Medway Maritime Hospital.

Sam added: “At first, I couldn’t believe I was delivering chest compressions while on the school run. It all happened so quickly and I am glad my brain entered work mode.

Sam, who works for Medway NHS Foundation Trust’s acute response team, said: “I will never forget feeling his pulse once we got him back.

"I was so happy he had survived and regained consciousness. It really is thanks to everyone’s efforts he is still alive.”

Geof and his daughter Emma Turner were able to thank Sam personally when they were reunited on the unit where he is being cared for.

The pensioner, who was down from Stafford visiting his daughter and grandchildren, said: “It’s hard to express your feelings when someone saves your life, except that I am obviously very, very grateful. I’m most fortunate Sam was there at the right place at the right time."

He also stressed the importance of more people learning CPR and using defibrillators.

The last thing he remembers is approaching the school then absolutely nothing," he added.

“There was no indication of pain, there was no racing heartbeat, nothing at all to tell me there was a problem.

"The next thing I knew I was lying in hospital with a mask over my face wondering what on earth had happened."

Medway NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Jayne Black expressed her gratitude towards Sam, the public and school staff.

She said: “It is a truly remarkable story that helps highlight the importance of people learning CPR.

"Well done to Sam and everyone involved with saving Geof’s life. You are all heroes.”