IT was an emotional reunion between a Hampshire man and the people who saved his life.

Andy Puntis was cycling through Totton when he collapsed in the road following a heart attack.

Thanks to the quick arrival of paramedics and CPR from a neighbour who happened to be passing, Andy, 55, survived the ordeal and visited the ambulance squad to thank them.

Accompanied by his wife Collette and daughter Molly, former Daily Echo graphic artist Andy said he did not know how he could ever fully express his thanks.

He said: “I had no idea how very lucky I was to survive this incident.

“We can’t even begin to think what life would have been like without the prompt actions of all those involved on that day, thank you can never be enough.”

The incident in Salisbury Road, Totton, brought the town to a standstill with roads closed by police while paramedics treated him.

Ambulance crews, doctors and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance attended, stabilising him before taking him to Southampton General Hospital.

Since then Andy, of Cadnam, near Totton, has had a internal defibrillator fitted to regulate his heart.

He is recovering well but will soon undergo surgery on his collarbone, which was damaged in the fall from the bike.

Andy met the crew at South Central Ambulance Service’s Winchester and Eastleigh Resource Centre.

Jude Millar, team leader for SCAS, added: “It was an honour and a privilege to meet Andy and his lovely family. I was so pleased to see him looking so well and for me that was a special moment.

“There was a huge team effort on that day from the bystanders that stopped to help, SCAS crews including the HART team and the Hampshire and IOW air ambulance who all contributed to saving Andy’s life and I am very proud to be part of that team.

“I wish Andy and his family all the very best for the future.”