A go-karter who had a heart attack at a Mitcham race track has thanked the staff for 'saving his life'.

Esmond McLaughlin, 48, started to feel pains in his chest and then suddenly collapsed after his third karting session at the TeamSport Go Karting track on Monday, February 27.

Mr McLaughlin, who is a regular go-karter, has now said he owes his life to the quick actions of staff at the track on that day.

He said: “I have never had any problems in my life. It just suddenly came on and before I knew it, I was having a heart attack.

“The staff were amazing. They got an ambulance, they were on the ball. I owe them so much.

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(L-R) Anthony Medford, Devina Morjaria, David Medford and manager Geordie Logan at TeamSport Go Karting in Mitcham

“They got me in the right position, calmed me down and kept talking to me. I don’t remember a lot of it. I passed out after a while

“I want to go back and thank them. I just think they need to be acknowledged for what they did.

“They saved my life, if I’m honest.”

Mr McLaughlin was rushed from the track to St George’s Hospital in Tooting. He was released from hospital two days before his birthday and returned to his home in Spitfire Road, Wallington, on Saturday, March 4.

A spokeswoman for TeamSport said a trained emergency first aid responder treated Mr McLaughlin onsite before an ambulance arrived.

She added: “Our customers’ health and safety is of uttermost importance, and we’re all wishing Esmond a speedy recovery.

“We also appreciate the hard work and expertise of both our employees and the emergency services in providing the greatest possible care of Esmond.

“We are extremely proud of the quick reactions of our staff in assessing the situation and ensuring that Esmond received the appropriate treatment whilst waiting for the emergency services.”