A MAN who made a 'miraculous' recovery after his work colleagues performed CPR on him for 15 minutes has stressed the need for everyone to learn the life-saving skill.

Lewis Botham had a sudden cardiac arrest just a day before his 26th birthday on July, 15 2024.

The farmworker, who lives at Westow, was working alongside his employer Tom Nutt, who suddenly noticed Lewis had collapsed at the wheel of a forklift.

Lewis' mum, Christine, said Tom and his brother George managed to get Lewis out of the cab and they started CPR.

She said: "They did this for 15 minutes until the air ambulance and paramedics arrived where they continued with CPR and Lewis required nine shocks.

"He was rushed to Scarborough Hospital where his condition was very, very critical."

Christine added: "Lewis spent two and a half weeks in Critical Care, had pneumonia and when he eventually was able to breathe independently he was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit.

"His neurologist report was not looking good as Lewis was not responding and he had a hypoxic brain injury due to lack of oxygen.

"After a couple of days Lewis did start to respond by walking and he continued over the days and weeks where he had to relearn absolutely everything again."

Christine said the help Lewis received was outstanding from all departments of Scarborough Hospital who all helped so much with his recovery.

"Lewis was talked about as 'the miracle boy'. He spent nearly three months in hospitals and went to Leeds LGI to have a defibrillator fitted.

"Lewis then went on to Goole rehabilitation Hospital for six weeks before he came home and we are very proud of the strength and determination he has shown and all along the way he just wanted to get back to work."

Christine said Lewis had now been back at work at the farm at East Heslerton for seven months.

"Doctors were stunned at his recovery you don’t usually get an outcome like this with a long downtime. But he was young fit and kept himself well. He has regular check-ups and his heart is fine."

Christine said: "Lewis’s recovery is miraculous and very rare after his long 50 minute down time and hypoxic brain injury.

"Tom and George Nutt saved Lewis’s life by giving him CPR and all the NHS we can’t thank you enough.

"So please don’t be afraid to do CPR if you think someone needs it. If you don’t know how to do it, learn how to. You could save someone’s life."