AN AMATEUR footballer says he is lucky to be alive after suffering a double heart failure during a game.

Gary Iles, 28, of Yate, was resuscitated twice by a team-mate and then taken to hospital when he collapsed during an indoor match at the town's leisure centre.

He spent two days in a coma before regaining consciousness shortly before Christmas.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the incident, Gary told the Gazette he could not believe what had happened.

"I know I am extremely fortunate to still be here," he said.

"When I woke up from the coma and was told what had happened, the blood just drained from my body.

"I couldn't help thinking I could have been dead and would have never seen my family again.

"It goes without saying that this has brought everything in my life into perspective, it's a wake up call."

Gary praised his team-mate Dave Ford, 36, who quickly managed to restart his breathing and keep his heart going until an ambulance arrived.

Dave, who was trained in first aid by the Territorial Army, gave Gary mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart compression while other team-mates manned the leisure centre doors to direct paramedics.

Gary, who works as a landscape gardener, said: "I know if it wasn't for my team-mates I wouldn't be here today. I can't thank them enough, they are my heroes.

"I think it shows the team spirit among us as friends. I hope I would do the same for them if I was in their position."

Dave said: "It was a frightening situation, Gary was dying in front of us and I had to act fast.

"Luckily we managed to do something right and brought him back around for the ambulance to take him away.

"It was all instinct at the time, only after he went in the ambulance did we all stop and take in what had happened.

"Gary is a real fighter and I'm sure it was that which kept him alive and pulled him through it. We are pleased to hear he is recovering well."

Gary's parents have visited him in Frenchay Hospital every day since he was admitted.

His mum Jean, 56, said: "Gary waking up at Christmas was the best present I think I've ever had.

"We can never thank his team mates and paramedics enough.

"Dave, if he wasn't already, is definitely part of our family now. We owe him greatly."

Gary's girlfriend Michelle, 20, said: "When he came round it was an unforgettable feeling.

"He was soon back telling jokes and is getting his memory back. All of the hospital staff and the police have been wonderful."

Doctors at Frenchay were this week carrying out tests on Gary to try to find out the cause of the cardiac arrest.

They say he is making a full recovery and, after having a pacemaker fitted, should be free to go home next week.

But he has been told he can no longer take part in contact sports, including football.

Gary said: "Its my 29th birthday next week and I'm desperate to get back home and celebrate it with my friends and family."