Brenda Sammons’ heartfelt thanks to those who rushed to her aid when husband David fell ill suddenly as they drove along Romsey Road in Lyndhurst

A woman whose husband died suddenly as they arrived for a holiday in the New Forest wants to “give a massive thank you” to people who came to her aid.

Brenda Sammons was driving a car along Romsey Road in Lyndhurst on 6th July when her husband David (77) became unwell.

“My daughter was in a car ahead of us with my grandson, towing a caravan,” she said.

“I pulled over and called her. She stopped and came back and they managed to get David out of the car – then from nowhere all these people came rushing over to help. They came from shops, pubs, cafes.

“One man was told there was a defibrillator at a working men’s club, and he ran all the way there and all the way back with it. There was a doctor and his wife who stopped to help, and one woman sat with me and comforted me throughout.

“I was totally overwhelmed by how many people just came rushing to our aid, it was amazing. Everyone was so kind.”

Brenda’s husband could not be saved, but she now wishes to send a “huge, huge thank you” to “everybody who helped us that day”.

She added: “I was just in such shock I didn’t really have a chance to say thank you.

“I know the names of the police officers who helped - they were called PC Holmes and PC Mitchell. I want to thank them and everyone else from the emergency services.

“But also to just the passersby and the people who were so very kind to us.”

Brenda, from Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, said she had been “totally stunned” by the response of people on the day.

“They could not have done any more to help David or me. They made a very difficult time easier for his family and I would like them to know just how grateful we are.”