Widow thanks passerby who tried to save husband in Sidmouth

Jenny and Jay. (Image: Archant)

Jay Domerecki, 66, died after collapsing in Fore Street when he was walking back to his car, after a day out with his wife Jenny, last Monday.

Jenny said: “Passers-by immediately started to help. A lovely young lady called an ambulance while another man came over to check if he was breathing.”

She added a man, who she thought was a fireman, started CPR.

Jenny, 57, said before long, he was joined by a second man who worked with him until paramedics arrived.

She added: “The whole time it was going on, which was around an hour-and-a-half, a young girl who was wearing a pink jumper held my hand and kept hugging me. I think she said she was 19.

“There was also a man with a baby who asked if I wanted to give her a cuddle and she was very sweet.

“And towards the end, when I had gone and sat in the ambulance, the restaurant owner of The Rendezvous, who must have seen what was going on, came out, opened the ambulance door, placed a cup of coffee in my hand, smiled and shut the door again.

“I just wanted to say thank you so much. I really appreciated that.”

Jenny said she and husband had recently moved to Honiton after living in Hertfordshire for around 30 years.

She added: “We decided to retire and come down to Devon around a year ago.

“Everyone who I have told about what happened has said how you wouldn’t get that sort of kindness anywhere else.

“The paramedics really couldn’t have done any more. I saw a doctor afterwards who said my husband received the same care he would have in hospital.

“Even the police were brilliant, they drove me home from the hospital and when they found out my car was still in Sidmouth they went and got it for me. Everyone just wanted to make sure I was alright – they were so wonderful.

“They were just so fantastic – I just wanted them to have some sort of acknowledgment. I am so grateful for everything everyone did.”