A British resident has been reunited with the Guardia Civil officers who saved his life after he suffered a severe bout of heatstroke and lay helpless inside his home for up to three days.
The 74-year-old was found collapsed on the floor of his property in Mazarron, Murcia, after concerned neighbours raised the alarm when they had not seen him for several days.
The pensioner, who is diabetic, was rushed to hospital in a very serious condition and spent several days fighting for his life before making a remarkable recovery.
Footage released by the Guardia Civil on Friday shows the Brit back at home and thanking the officers who came to his rescue, explaining to them how he believes his diabetes may have contributed to his collapse.
The Guardia Civil said the dramatic intervention began when residents of the urbanisation where the man lives became concerned about his welfare.
Neighbours had not seen him for several days and noticed that his car had remained parked in the same place, raising fears that something had happened to him inside the property.
Officers force their way inside
A Guardia Civil public safety patrol from Totana was dispatched to the property following the alert.
With no keys available and officers fearing the Brit could be in danger, they forced open a mosquito screen covering a window.
From there, they managed to reach a set of keys inside the property which, fortunately, opened the front door.
Officers searched the house before discovering the 74-year-old lying on the floor of a room upstairs.
He still had a pulse but was unresponsive, prompting the officers to immediately call for an ambulance.
Medical personnel who arrived at the scene suspected that the pensioner had suffered a severe bout of heatstroke, leaving him dazed and unable to respond or summon help for an estimated two to three days.
‘Fighting for his life’
The Brit was rushed to the Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena, where he was admitted in a very serious condition.
He remained in hospital for several weeks and, according to Onda Regional, spent a number of days fighting for his life before his condition eventually improved.
He has since been discharged and returned home.
The Guardia Civil officers responsible for rescuing him had continued to follow his recovery and recently paid him a visit after learning that he was back at his property.
Images and video from the reunion show the pensioner speaking to the officers at his home following his ordeal.
