TWO hero nurses have told how they stepped in to save the life of a woman who suffered a heart attack during a keep fit class in Greenock.

June Doherty and Suzanne Taylor, who worked together at Inverclyde Royal, sprung into action when the lady, in her early 50s, collapsed right in front of them.

The dramatic scene unfolded in front of a stunned boxercise class in the Victorian Suite in Greenock.

The quick-thinking friends immediately rushed to the woman’s aid and began resuscitating her.

They managed to stabilise her until paramedics arrived and thanks to their actions the woman is now recovering in hospital.

Greenock nurse June, 45, who works on the surgical wards in IRH, said: “The class had just started and the woman collapsed.

“She had stopped breathing and both Suzanne and I started CPR to resuscitate her.

“We have worked together a long time and we are friends.

“But we have never come across this outside of work before. 

“There were a few tears after it all.

“The family have been in touch, sending us lovely messages, thanking us for saving the lady’s life.

“We are just glad we were there and that she is going to be okay.”

Suzanne, 39, added: “It has been very emotional for us. We are just so happy the lady is doing well. That is all that matters.

“She was behind me and I just thought she had fallen over at first and then we realised it was bad.

“The adrenaline kicks in and instinct takes over.

“It is very different when you are in a hospital setting and all the equipment is there. 

“You obviously are expecting something to happen and you are prepared for it at work.”

“June and I were colleagues for 18 years, a very long time, and we are very close friends.

“We worked as team to carry out the CPR.”

June and Suzanne believe that the incident highlights how important it is that more members of the public should be trained in first aid.

June said: “My teenage daughter and her friend were there with me.

“They saw it all and it really shocked them.

“They now want first aid training and I hope if anything this highlights how important that is.”