Hoffman helps heart-attack jogger (From Enfield Independent)

Hoffman helps heart-attack jogger

8:18am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

A jogger who suffered a cardiac arrest in London was saved after Hollywood veteran Dustin Hoffman went to his aid.

Sam Dempster, 27, collapsed during a run in Hyde Park on April 27.

The Rain Man star, who has a house in the capital, waited with the stricken lawyer until paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS) carried out resuscitation and rushed him to hospital.

After paramedics Martin Macarthur and Luke Sullivan restarted Mr Dempster's heart, Hoffman said: "Great job, guys," The Sun reported.

Mr Dempster was taken to hospital and underwent life-saving surgery like Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba who collapsed with the same condition during a live televised FA Cup game.

Mr Dempster told the newspaper: "I have no memory of what happened. The paramedics told me I had been saved by Dustin Hoffman. It's unbelievable." Mr Dempster was enjoying a morning run when he collapsed as the actor was taking a walk.

Paramedic Mr Macarthur told The Sun: "Dustin was fascinated. He seemed impressed we'd got this guy back so quickly. When we were carrying the patient into the ambulance he walked up and said 'Great job, guys.' He really appreciated what had happened."

Writing on his recovery blog "Heart-throbbing", Mr Dempster applauded Hoffman and the paramedics.

He said: "A big thank you also to my new found favourite celebrity Dustin Hoffman who called 999 and waited by my side until paramedics arrived and the staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital that stabilised me before I was transferred to the Royal Brompton Hospital."

He thanked well-wishers, adding that he was "indebted to Dustin Hoffman (who called for the ambulance after witnessing my collapse), Martin and Luke (paramedics who successfully resuscitated me with CPR and defibrillation), and the staff at both Chelsea & Westminster and Royal Brompton Hospitals."