Firefighters rushed to the aid of a mourner at a funeral in Ely yesterday (Tuesday) after the man collapsed with a suspected heart attack.

The incident happened as the man was entering St Mary’s Church for the funeral of Standen’s employee Peter Reynolds who died recently from cancer.

A fellow mourner explained Mr Reynolds was previously a part-time firefighter and many of his former colleagues were also attending.

As the man, who is believed to be in his 70s and a long-time friend of Mr Reynolds, lay on the ground the firefighters provided first aid and administered CPR until the emergency services arrived.

The eyewitness said: “They knew what they were doing and helped the man until the ambulance crews got there. I’m sure their actions kept him alive until help arrived.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) said: “We were called at around 10.33am and despatched a land ambulance, rapid response vehicle and the air ambulance. The patient was transported to Papworth Hospital by land ambulance with the air ambulance providing escort.”