Army veteran's son thanks officers who tried to save his dad's life after heart attack in Willenhall
The son of an army veteran who died after suffering a heart attack has offered his thanks to the neighbourhood policing officers who attempted to save his life.
Tom Lewis had collapsed while inside Ladbrokes bookmakers in Willenhall shortly after 11am on Wednesday (August 13) while the West Midlands Police officers were carrying out patrols.
Sergeant Paul Smith and PC Matt Smith rushed to Ladbrokes and began carrying out CPR on Mr Lewis, taking it in turns until paramedics arrived at the scene.
The 83-year-old was taken to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton by ambulance, but sadly died at around 7.30pm that day.
Mr Lewis had been in the army during the 1960s serving as an ammunitions technician for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and spent time in both Cyprus and Germany.
He later worked as a security guard before working in a local foundry and was described by his son Philip as a familiar face around Willenhall, having lived in the town all his life and known for his friendly and fun personality.
Mr Lewis said: “My dad loved to come into Willenhall and have a couple of pints in the pub.
"He would have a chat to people in the street, he would have time for everyone.
"He was a lovely friendly man who always had a joke for you and, admittedly, some of them were lame jokes but that’s what made it funnier.
“My dad enjoyed a bet on the horses and it was in the bookmakers where he collapsed.”
Mr Lewis said he wanted to thank the officers and paramedics for their efforts to save his dad and was grateful that he was able to get to the hospital to see him before he died.
He said: "Thanks to the fantastic efforts from police officers and ambulance crews who carried out CPR, my dad was kept alive and this enabled myself, his sister Diane and his brother Arthur to get to the hospital in time and to see him before he passed away.
"I am so grateful to them for doing all they could for him and would also like to thank the staff at Ladbrokes for all their help too.
“My dad will be greatly missed. He was very close to his grandson Sam and my dad adored him.
"He will now be reunited with my mum Margaret, who died 13 years ago.”
Sergeant Smith said: “It was a very sad day for myself and the other officers involved.
"We tried our very best to save Mr Lewis, taking it in turns to carry out CPR until paramedics arrived. It was a team effort.
“We are sorry the ending couldn’t have been a happier one but it is comforting to find out Philip was able to see his father in hospital before he passed away.”
