The wife of a man who suffered a life-threatening heart attack during Norwich Pride has said she was overwhelmed with the 'marvellous' response of the public.

Eastern Daily Press: Howard Hughes had a heart attack outside The Forum during the Pride parade.Picture submitted.Howard Hughes had a heart attack outside The Forum during the Pride parade.Picture submitted. (Image: Archant Norfolk.)

Beryl Hughes, 67, of Wherry Road, Norwich, endured every wife's worst nightmare when her husband Howard Hughes, 71, went into a potentially fatal cardiac arrest.

The incident happened on Saturday outside the Forum, an area packed with people watching the Norwich Pride procession.

Thanks to the heroic efforts of members of the public and paramedics, Mr Hughes' life was safe and he was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

His wife said: 'I'm so grateful to everyone for helping to save my husband's life.

'It was a very frightening experience for me, but the people who helped me and Bob were wonderful. I can't thank everyone enough.'

Mrs Hughes met her husband just seconds before the heart attack happened, as they had planned to watch the procession together.

He had previously been at home packing, as the couple were meant to go on a coach trip to Scotland for a holiday this week.

Father-of-one Mr Hughes, who worked in the Royal Air Force for 28 years and was affectionately known as Bob, joined Mrs Hughes outside the Forum as she chatted to security guard Ray London.

Within seconds he told his wife he felt dizzy, and then began to fall.

Quick-thinking Mr London caught Mr Hughes and began giving CPR straight away.

'Without him I don't know what would have happened,' Mrs Hughes said. 'Some people moved me away from them and found me a chair, so I sat down with my back to what was going on.

'In hindsight I'm glad about that because it would have been awful for a wife to witness. I was shaking with shock.'

She said members of the public and police comforted her and brought her water while Mr London, a passer-by skilled in CPR, and paramedics battled to keep Mr Hughes alive.

He is currently in a stable condition, conscious, and breathing on his own, although it is not yet known if he has suffered any brain damage as a result of the heart attack.

Mr Hughes worked as a statistician for the RAF and is a keen bowler with the County Arts Bowls Club. Thorpe St Andrew.

He and Mrs Hughes have been married for 19 years.

Do you have a health story? Email our health correspondent at nicholas.carding@archant.co.uk