An East Yorkshire funeral director has told how eight police officers battled to save his life after he collapsed while they were recovering a body from the Humber.
David Cogan, 52, was helping police officers after they removed a body washed up near Welton Waters when he suffered a massive heart attack.
Eight police officers and a paramedic took it in turns to perform CPR for almost an hour before his heart was eventually restarted in a helicopter as he was airlifted to hospital.
He spent weeks in hospital and was put into a coma before undergoing a triple heart by-pass as medical staff worked around-the-clock to save him.
Now back home in North Ferriby, Mr Cogan said: "I would have been dead if it wasn't for them.
"The police, the paramedic and my co-worker Alf were all amazing and all contributed to bringing me back to life.
"I can't praise the emergency services and the doctors and nurses at hospital enough."
Mr Cogan had been called to the shoreline on the evening of New Year's Day with his workmate and friend Alf Davie, who works alongside him at his father's firm Ronald Cogan and Sons Ltd.
They were in the secluded spot in the pitch darkness with the police officers after the body of a missing man from Leicestershire had been found.
Mr Cogan and Mr Davie were walking behind an ambulance as it drove down the muddy dirt track when Mr Cogan collapsed.
Mr Davie, 63, said: "I knew straight away that he was ill and hadn't just fallen in the dark.
"He went straight down and didn't make a sound.
"He fell flat on his back so I shouted for the paramedic and he came across and started CPR.
"I was obviously very concerned."
The paramedic and police officers tried to resuscitate Mr Cogan for about 45 minutes.
An ambulance was called but Mr Cogan has since been told it got stuck in the mud and couldn't reach him.
Instead, a helicopter from RAF Leconfield was sent and airlifted him to Hull Royal Infirmary.
On the journey to hospital, emergency crews finally managed to get a pulse.
Mr Cogan said: "I don't remember anything from that time and my memory has completely gone from Christmas up to when I was about to have my operation.
"All the things I know are just what I've been told.
"My dad Ron had collapsed and died from a cardiac arrest in Paragon Square in November 1993 when he was 63.
"My mum Hilda died 18 months later in hospital after having a heart attack in Haltemprice swimming pool.
"I knew with my history, it was going to happen, I just didn't think it would happen when I was 51."
Inspector Phil North was one of the police officers who, along with paramedic John Dunswell, helped save Mr Cogan.
Insp North visited Mr Cogan while he was in hospital, although this is another memory Mr Cogan has lost.
Insp North said: "When I saw Mr Cogan sitting in his hospital bed alive and well, this is something I and all of the other officers who helped keep him alive will never forget.
"What my team and I experienced that night will stay with us for a very long time.
"I, and all those who were involved, are delighted that Mr Cogan has made a full recovery and I would like to personally wish him all the best for the future."
