The heroic efforts of a stranger, whose lifesaving CPR brought a dying man back to life, gave his family an extra week to say goodbye to their loved one.

Last week, the Sutton Guardian reported on the mystery hero who saved Bill Cattermole, 79, who had collapsed in the street after suffering a cardiac arrest.

His efforts allowed Mr Cattermole to be taken to St Helier Hospital, where his family could be with him during his final days before he died on Sunday, February 15.

Since then, the family has been able to contact rescuer Lee Jackson, 35, and have thanked him personally for everything he has done.

Stepdaughter Allyson Acton said: “We went up to the hospital on Friday. They said there wasn’t much hope.

“Bill was talking, but he passed on Sunday. Lee asked me to contact him about what was happening, to keep him up to date. Lee gave us a week to say our goodbyes.

“Without Lee, we wouldn’t have that. We are just glad.

“If Bill had died there in the street, I don’t know if he would have just been left there. People do just pass by.

“Whatever happens, Lee must realise he has done a brilliant thing. We had a chance to sit and talk to him. We had a whole week of that.

“We will be eternally grateful for that.”

Friends of Mr Jackson, who lives in New Road, Hackbridge, contacted the Sutton Guardian after reading about Mr Cattermole’s rescue and his family’s desire to track him down to say thank you.

Mr Jackson, pictured, is reluctant to be tagged a hero as, according to him, he just did what anybody would have done.

He said: “I’m not so sure about being a hero. I just did my bit. I really didn’t know what I was doing.

“I came across the road. He was on the floor. I got out of my van and took a coat to cover him as it was very cold.”

The operator on the end of the 999 call relayed information to him via newsagent Tina Patel, who had called emergency services.

Mr Jackson said: “Somebody said that you need to pump his heart.

“Nobody knew what they were doing. I did chest compressions for what seemed a lifetime. Then he started breathing again, so I stopped.

“Then he stopped breathing again, so I started pumping his chest. It was about 10 or so minutes, but it seemed about an hour.

“I didn’t really want the whole hero thing. I didn’t think about that. Somebody said ‘You saved his life’, but what was my other option, stand and watch?

“It wasn’t nice. I did panic. But anyone would have done it. It needed to be done.”

Bill was married to his wife for 30 years. Stepdaughter Mrs Acton said he was “just a great laugh”.

She said: “Lee gave us an extra week. What he did was just heroic. We know what Lee did for us. He needs to be proud of himself.”

Mr Cattermole’s funeral has yet to be arranged.