THE FAMILY of a dad who suffered a heart attack at a leisure centre have praised quick-thinking staff as ‘lifesavers’.

Paul Eidsforth, 54, had the heart attack in the changing rooms at Hyndburn Leisure Centre, after taking his five-year-old son Alfie to his swimming lesson.

But staff at the centre acted quickly and resuscitated the Oswaldtwistle father before he was airlifted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where he is now recovering.

Mr Eidsforth’s ex-partner Wendy Sommerville said that staff at the leisure centre had been fantastic and had saved his life.

The 47-year-old, from Clayton-le-Moors, said: “Paul had taken our five-year-old son Alfie for his swimming lesson and had got to the leisure centre at about twenty past ten.

“The lesson started at half past ten and it was after Alfie’s lesson, when Paul got him out of the pool and was getting him dressed in the changing rooms, when it happened.

“Alfie told me they had been in the changing cubicles and his dad unlocked the door and then passed out.

“He then said another boy’s dad came into the cubicle and saw Paul and alerted staff.”

Ms Sommerville then said staff took over and managed to resuscitate Mr Eidsforth before he was airlifted to hospital.

She said he was now on the mend and has had one stent in his heart fitted, while he is awaiting another one to be fitted.

She added: “The staff at the leisure centre were fantastic. As a family we would just like to thank everyone involved.

“They are lifesavers and if it wasn’t for them, Paul wouldn’t be here today.

“We’re all shocked by what’s happened.”

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Lyndsey Sims, chief executive of Hyndburn Leisure Centre, said she was proud of the whole team on shift for their actions.

She said: “The staff at the centre acted upon their Emergency Action Plan, whilst waiting for medical help.

“The air ambulance arrived alongside paramedics, and have taken the customer to hospital.

“All of us at Hyndburn Leisure would like to say our thoughts are with the gentleman, and all members of his family at this time.

“We would also like to say how proud we are of the whole team on shift for their actions.

She added: “Out of respect for the privacy of the family at this time we won’t be commenting further."