A COMMUNITY first-aider has been hailed a hero after saving the life of his partner - 29,000 feet up in a jumbo jet.

Dennis Fothergill, of Bishopthorpe, York, was on a flight two hours away from Sydney, Australia, when his companion, Lib Seward, suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing while they waited to use the toilet.

Quick-thinking Dennis, who is 60, caught her as she fell and used all the resuscitation skills he had learned on the ambulance service's "first responders" course to bring her back to life.

Mr Fothergill is one of several people in Bishopthorpe who attended a 12-week first aid course so they could provide emergency cover in the village and respond quicker than paramedics.

"Lib's face just turned grey and her eyes were open staring up," he said.

"She had stopped breathing but I just went into automatic mode and the training kicked in.

"I gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and compressions on her chest. All of a sudden she took a big gasp and started breathing again."

Cabin crew then secured the help of a doctor who was onboard and they made Mrs Seward comfortable until they landed in Sydney and she was taken to hospital.

She was kept in for three days while tests were carried out, but the couple, who live opposite each other, were eventually allowed to travel on to New Zealand, where they spent the rest of their three-week holiday.

"Dennis is my lifesaver," said Mrs Seward, 66, who is believed to have suffered a severe rush of blood to the head which caused the collapse.

"If he hadn't had the first aid training I don't think anyone would have got to me in time. I remember opening my eyes on the plane and seeing him above me. It made me pleased to be alive."

Mr Fothergill, who looks after the North Yorkshire Police garages in Tadcaster, added: "I never thought I would have to use my skills on someone who is close to me," he said.

"I've always been interested in first aid and would encourage anyone to go on a course. You never know when you might need it."

If anyone is interested in joining the Bishopthorpe First Responders, phone Jenny Harris at The Marcia Pub on 01904 705805.