A BURY sportsman who collapsed after winning a table tennis match and spent five days in a coma has thanked the team-mate who saved his life.

Barrie Fleet had just finished his game at Our Lady of Grace RC Church’s Hall in Fairfax Road, Prestwich, when he suffered a suspected heart attack and fell unconscious.

First-aid-trained Alex Waring sprung into action and gave the 67-year-old mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while their other colleague Mike Dunn dialled 999.

Alex tended to Barrie before paramedics arrived at the scene and he was conveyed to North Manchester General Hospital.

Doctors feared the worst as father-of-two lay in a coma in intensive care for five days, before regaining consciousness — completely unaware of the drama that had unfolded.

He left hospital last Friday and returned to his home in Ennerdale Drive, Sunnybank, where he is now recovering.

Barrie said: “It’s been a crazy few days and I feel so relieved to past the worst of it and I really owe Alex a pint or two for saving my life.

“My memory of what happened is almost nil, but I’m just glad to be home in one piece.”

Barrie has played table tennis for 40 years and plays with Prestwich Table Tennis Club’s F team.

On September 18, Barrie, Alex and Mike beat opponents Carlton Vale 9-1 before packing up for the night.

Alex, aged 62, who lives in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, said: “Barrie won all three of his singles games and was fine, but then complained of feeling dizzy and then just collapsed on the floor.

“Adrenaline kicked in and I just tried to keep calm. Mike called 999 while I did CPR.

“When you learn first aid, they teach you to keep doing it no matter what response you get, so I just kept on going.

“Barrie’s pulse was weak and I got more of a response from him after a few minutes, then the ambulance arrived and Mike did a great job directing them.”

Barrie, a retired insurance assessor, said: “It happened on a Tuesday and I came round on the Sunday with no idea why I was in hospital.

“They had told my wife Pauline and my son Stephen to prepare for the worst and doctors thought that I might be left with brain damage.

“At the moment, I’ve got a lot of short-term memory loss and I’ve been told to rest for three or four weeks until I can have a test to assess the impact on my heart.”

Barrie also received visits in hospital from his brother Colin, his sister Christine and his daughter Michelle.

Ken Crimes, who helps organise table tennis matches for the club, said: “Alex did a phenomenal job and it highlights the importance of getting first-aid training.

“He has done wonderfully and everyone associated with the club and the league is delighted that Barrie is home and recovering.”

Alex, who works as a quantity surveyor, first learned first aid 30 years ago when he become involved with Ladybridge Football Club in Bolton.

He added: “We have 500 members at the club across all age groups and it is paramount to have someone around who knows first aid.

“In all the years I’ve known it, I’ve dealt with people breaking limbs and getting hurt, but never anything this bad.

“Barrie is a difficult table-tennis player to play against and I’m glad he’s on my team.

“Hopefully, he will be back with us playing again soon.”