A FAST-THINKING lifesaver is our first nominee for the Local Hero Award at the 2016 Argus Community Stars.

The award is for those whose acts of heroism have genuinely made a different to a person or community.

Richard Tucker’s actions last October certainly qualify. He gave CPR to his fiancée in the middle of the night after discovering her heart had stopped.

Bridget Massey, 49, was making strange noises and when Richard tried to wake her, he realised she had turned a strange colour and had stopped breathing.

Richard shouted to Bridget’s daughter to call 999 and he began emergency CPR, continuing until a community first responder arrived with a defibrillator.

Bridget has now recovered but remained in an induced coma for four days while friends and family were warned that her life hung in the balance and brain damage could not be ruled out even if she lived.

Mercifully after the hospital team brought her out of the coma, she began to speak and is now doing well and back at work.

Richard said: “Seeing her lying there lifeless meant I absolutely had to do something to help her.”

Bridget said: “Where most would panic, Richard took control and performed what I genuinely believe to be lifesaving CPR.

“Had he not done this, I am under no illusion that I would not be here today. I owe him my life.”

Richard had first aid training while working on the railways and has also completed a first aid course.

He added: “Having been in a situation where knowing these skills have saved the life of someone who means the world to me, I simply can’t stress enough how important it is to learn first aid.”

In addition to his Community Stars nomination, Richard is also shortlisted for a St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes award.