“THEY didn’t think twice about putting their politics to the side to save my life,” said the man saved by striking firefighters last week after suffering a massive heart attack outside their station.

Three Darlington firefighters left the picket line to rush to the aid of 49-year-old Michael Johnson when he collapsed in the street last Tuesday (November 4).

Now out of a medically-induced coma and recovering from surgery at home with his family, Mr Johnson paid tribute.

A previously fit and healthy local government worker, Mr Johnson has no recollection of the day he collapsed – despite having gone to work as normal, walked a dog and taken part in a five-a-side football match against The Northern Echo.

He said: “I have no memory at all of that Tuesday – I remember going to bed the night before and then nothing until waking up in intensive care on Wednesday.

“The whole thing came completely out of the blue and as a bit of a shock - I’m usually very healthy, I cycle and play football about five times a week and I’m still coming to terms with the severity of what happened.”

The firefighters were on the picket line outside Darlington Fire Station when they saw Mr Johnson collapse.

He said: “I think they noticed the way I fell because it wasn’t gradually to my knees, it was straight onto my face.

“Two of them came straight over and the other ran to get oxygen and a defibrillator. It took them less than a minute to respond and they had to shock my heart because I was dead.

“I wouldn’t be here if it had happened anywhere but outside the fire station – I was in the right place at the right time.

“They absolutely saved my life and I start crying when I think about it, I can’t believe what they did.”

He added: “They were on strike but they went over and above by leaving the picket line to help – they were striking for more money and they deserve everything.

“The idea of being on strike is not to provide a service but if they had not done what they did, I would be dead.

“I support their strike but would never have expected them to sit back and do nothing – it’s in their nature to save lives.

“I wouldn’t be here without them and they’re absolute unsung heroes who deserve recognition along with the doctors and nurses at James Cook University Hospital.

“They’ve given me another chance at life with my wife, children and grandchildren.”

Mr Johnson and his wife, Angela, are now calling for the life-saving firefighters to be commended.

Mrs Johnson said: “We want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts, his quick recovery all boils down to the fast actions of those three young lads.”

Mr Johnson wants to encourage work places and venues to purchase defibrillators and to highlight the signs of an impending heart attack.

Once Mr Johnson is fully recovered, the family plan to meet with the firefighters to thank them in person.