A Brecon man has thanked four Powys County Council employees after their swift actions saved his life, following a roadside heart attack.

Paul Keddle, 68, was on a cycle ride from Brecon to Defynnog on Wednesday, November 17 when he started experiencing pains in his chest.

Paul, who is retired, says that at first the pain didn’t feel out of the ordinary, as it had been an ongoing symptom for the past 18 months.

“The pain wasn’t unusual as I have suffered with undiagnosed pain and breathlessness for a year and a half,” said Paul.

“On my way back via the main road the pain worsened and eventually it became too bad to carry on.”

Paul then dismounted his bike and pushed it over the road to an area with two large gates.

Shortly afterwards he became disorientated, and began to sweat as the pain became acutely worse.

“I knew I should dial 999 but my phone was in my bike bag in the other side of the locked gates,” said Paul, who realised he would struggle to cover even the short distance.

“Within minutes I was in great distress and lying prostrate on the ground struggling to breathe,” said Paul, who spoke to the Brecon and Radnor Express from his hospital bed at The Grange in Cwmbran.

Paul then spotted a county council vehicle pass on the other side of the road, heading back towards Defynnog - a pickup truck that Paul had seen earlier in the day.

“The two men must have spotted my fluorescent jacket as I lay flat on the ground,” said Paul.

After pulling over on the side of the road, the two men came over to Paul, who was lying face down on the ground.

Paul said: “As they discussed whether 999 was the best option, another Powys pickup pulled in and it was decided to take me to Brecon and drop my bike off at the depot.

“They then helped me across to the truck as I was not able to walk on my own.”

After the council workers took Paul in their pickup vehicle to Brecon War Memorial Hospital, they took his bike back to their depot for safekeeping.

At Brecon Hopsital, 999 was dialed and Paul was promptly transported, by blue lights, the 40-mile journey to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Paul had suffered a heart attack with a fully blocked artery. Thankfully, he is now in a stable condition after having two stents fitted. He has been transferred to the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran for his recovery.

Paul says he is indebted to the four men who helped him at the roadside - Paul Havard, Jason Williams, Richard Jones and Laurie Clewitt - and says that if it wasn’t for their actions, he may not have survived.

“I say thank you to theses four Powys workers - especially the two workers who spotted me and turned back to check on me,” said Paul.

“I would probably still be lying in agony and possibly deceased by now. Diolch o galon to them.”

Matt Perry, Head of Highways, Transport and Recycling, has praised the actions of Paul, Jason, Richard and Laurie.

 He said: “We couldn’t be prouder of our four members of staff who stopped to help Mr Keddle last week. Recognising the gentleman was in trouble, they quickly went to his aid and got him safely to hospital. Their fast action undoubtable contributed to saving his life, and we are all delighted to hear that he is doing well and recovering after such a scary ordeal.

 “Not only did our conscientious crew look after Mr Keddle, they also bought his bike back to the depot and kept it safe for his wife to collect the following day.

 “We would like to thank Paul, Jason, Richard and Laurie for their quick thinking and we all send our best wishes to Mr Keddle for a speedy recovery.”

Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling weak and/or lightheaded, and overwhelming feeling of anxiety

It’s important to know that not everyone experiences severe chest pain. This is particularly the case with many women. The pain can often be mild and mistaken for indigestion.

It’s the combination of symptoms that’s important in determining whether a person is having a heart attack and not the severity of chest pain.

A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect a heart attack.