A pair of ‘superheroes’ who came to the rescue of a man who collapsed while out running have been nominated for a bravery award.

The husband and wife off-duty police officers spotted the 40-year-old man unconscious on the path as they drove through Middlesbrough last August.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Jayne Bryan, from Cleveland Police, and PC Liam Goodall, from Durham Police, turned the man over where they discovered his lips and ears were blue and he was clearly hypoxic.

They checked that his airway was clear and DS Bryan started CPR while PC Goodall called the emergency services.

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The couple both carried out CPR for 15 minutes until the ambulance service arrived and PC Goodall continued CPR in support of the ambulance service at their request, while they treated the male with adrenaline and a defibrillator. When the man was stabilised, he was taken to hospital.

The man – married dad of two Oliver Williams - was taken to hospital for treatment and has survived to tell the tale.

Mr Williams said: "I can't thank Liam and Jayne enough for what they did for me.

"Without their life-saving actions, I wouldn't be here today. I'll forever be in debt to both Liam and Jayne, they really are real-life superheroes."

The officers have since met with him several times, and they are campaigning together for a defibrillator to be installed in the local area.

Temp DS Bryan said: “We were totally overwhelmed that we were able to save him. It’s a miracle – that’s what the consultant said to him. Ultimately, I joined the police to help people. Thankfully we were there and knew what to do.”

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PC Goodall added: “We were just so happy that we were able to help him and he’s now been able to live his life with his family.”

The officers will attend the first ever Cleveland Police Federation Bravery Awards on Thursday, March 30.

At the event an overall winner will be announced who will travel to London for the National Police Federation Bravery Awards in July.