Driver Chris Bird suffered a cardiac arrest last November and “died” for 16 minutes at the HMP Brinsford site near Wolverhampton.

His colleagues and Wates site managers sprang into action to perform CPR and administer the on-site defibrillator which saved his life.

Chris Haughey, Managing Director of McCoy Contractors said: “Through CPR and the use of the defibrillator, Chris was essentially brought back to life by the team on site.

“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that he has made a full recovery. Chris is returning back to work this month to continue his normal duties.

Bird said: “I am a mentally and physically fit 46-year-old, and like every other day for the past 30 years, I went to work one morning, not expecting that I would suffer a cardiac arrest that would change my life forever.

“There were no major warning signs, only some slight heartburn the evening before. It’s a stark reminder that this can happen to anyone, at any time. It was a huge shock to everyone, especially my family and the colleagues on site with me.

“I firmly believe that having defibrillators on construction sites across the country could save countless lives in a critical situation.

“Without the quick thinking of my friend Colin, the staff at Wates, and immediate access to a defibrillator, I wouldn’t be here today. I died for 16 minutes on site, far from my family, and if it wasn’t for the defibrillator, the outcome would have been entirely different. I’ll be forever grateful to everyone who was there that day.”