Suffering a cardiac arrest is one thing - but to suffer a cardiac arrest whilst driving is an even more terrifying experience.

Eastern Daily Press: Melvyn Lincoln and Luke Baldwin. Photo: EEASTMelvyn Lincoln and Luke Baldwin. Photo: EEAST (Image: EEAST)

Luckily, for Melvyn Lincoln, from Norwich on the day this happened to him a series of coincidences and quick actions by a community first responder and bystanders helped save his life.

When the 999 call was received, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) dispatched community first responder (CFR) Luke Baldwin, who arrived on scene in less than four minutes, followed closely by an ambulance crew.

Already on scene were bystanders Zoe Clarke and Emily Brown, who started giving CPR.

And in a stroke of fate, Miss Clarke also happened to be an emergency medical technician with EEAST - and Miss Brown, a nurse from the local hospital.

Thanks to the quick actions of the duo, Mr Baldwin - who was carrying an automatic external defibrillator in his kit - was able to shock Mr Lincoln and restart his heart, bringing him back to life.

Mr Lincoln, still in a critical condition, was transported by the ambulance crew to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where he received specialist treatment and is now making a strong recovery.

In an emotional reunion at the ambulance service's Norwich Emergency Operations Centre, Mr Lincoln thanked the volunteer who helped saved his life, Mr Baldwin, as well as his 'angels' Miss Clarke and Miss Brown.

He said: 'I couldn't have been luckier to have had Zoe, Emily and Luke there. If it hadn't been for them I wouldn't be here today.'

He added: 'I don't remember much but I know that fate brought us together on that day and they saved my life.'

Mr Lincoln, curious about how he managed to receive life-saving care so quickly, was then taken on a tour of the centre where he got to see first-hand the triage and dispatch system used by EEAST to rapidly deploy resources to critically-ill patients across the region.

During Volunteers' Week, EEAST is celebrating the work of their volunteers - such as CFR Mr Baldwin.

These volunteers are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work.

To find out more about becoming a CFR, visit www.eastamb.nhs.uk/join-the-team/community-first-responders