THE DAUGHTER of a man who suffered a fatal heart attack in Petersfield has praised helpers, the medics and police, who she says they all did “everything possible" to try and save him.
Mike Wilman, 65, of Bursledon near Southampton was in Petersfield to see his solicitor when he suffered the heart attack at about 2pm on Monday, November 14, after parking his car in the central car park by Waitrose.
His daughter Candy Williams of Waterlooville, who often swims in Petersfield open air pool, says the family has strong links with the town, and people couldn’t have been more helpful when her father collapsed.
She said: “I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped and would like to thank them all. People in the car park helped immediately, and the ambulance medics who got their in minutes tried their best for about 40 minutes to revive him. But sadly it was too late.
“The air ambulance team were great, and I can’t thank the police enough for their help afterward. Amongst other things they brought my father’s car keys to my house in the evening after it happened, which was really very helpful. I am so very grateful to them all.”
Despite the medic’s best efforts, Mr Wilman, who only retired about a month ago, was officially pronounced dead about 40 minutes after his heart attack. While medics were trying to revive him, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was called, arriving over Petersfield from it’s base at Thruxton airfield about 2.20pm.
It landed on fields next to Borough Road and behind Petersfield Guide Hut in Alderfield.
Petersfield Police manned the perimeter of the landing ground, while medics continued working to save Mr Wilmen in ambulance parked next to the guide hut.
But sadly Mr Wilman, who became a grandfather about recently, couldn’t be resuscitated and the air ambulance took off without him at about 3.30pm.