WATCH: Wolverhampton heart attack victim who died for 10 minutes meets rescuers

Dave Penza, aged 65, collapsed on court at Bert Williams Leisure Centre in Bilston and went into cardiac arrest at the end of his weekly match against his close friend Stan Mann.

But three staff at the centre – including Bill Sheargold who he had known for more than 25 years – bravely came to his aid, performing CPR and using a defibrillator to restart his heart.

At an emotional reunion at the centre on Nettlefolds Way, Bilston, Mr Penza came face to face with the three people who saved his life for the first time since the incident on September 17. He said: "Words cannot describe how I feel about these people. I was just so fortunate to have them around at the time.

"What they did has given me real faith in human nature. My recollection was zero from the time I collapsed until a week later, but the staff dealt with the situation. It must have been very traumatic for them"

The drama unfolded at around 7.40pm when Mr Penza collapsed suddenly shortly after he had finished playing squash. Centre manager Bill Sheargold, aged 55, came to his aid and immediately started CPR.

He was joined by lifeguard Laura Guest, 20, who dashed hundreds of metres to get the centre's defibrillator and swimming teacher Chris Peake, 31, who performed rescue breaths and assisted with CPR.

After three shocks from the defibrillator Mr Penza started to breath again. He received further treatment from paramedics who arrived 15 minutes after his initial collapse and was taken to New Cross Hospital.

Mr Sheargold, who used to play in the same squash league as Mr Penza in the late 1980s, said: "There was a real gasp of relief from all of us when Dave started breathing again."

Last week the trio received a bravery award at a ceremony at Bescot Stadium in recognition of their efforts in saving Mr Penza.

Mr Penza, a self-employed quantity surveyor, is now recovering at home in Wednesfield.