ARTHUR Rose proudly served his country for the final two years of the Second World War, joining the Royal Navy as a teenager and returning home from West Africa a war hero.

Ipswich Star: Arthur Rose was saved by PCSO's Karen Murton (left) and Rachael Partridge after he had a fall at his home in Ipswich.Arthur Rose was saved by PCSO's Karen Murton (left) and Rachael Partridge after he had a fall at his home in Ipswich. (Image: Archant)

But today, the 88-year-old is thanking two police community support officers for saving his life. He says they are his heroes.

The Ipswich pensioner had just returned home from shopping in the town centre when he started feeling unwell. The day was March 22, a day he will never forget.

“It was only 1pm but I kept shivering – I was shivering all over,” he said. “So I made myself a hot drink and went to bed with a blanket and a hot water bottle.”

He woke up three hours later and went to use the bathroom.

“I just collapsed,” he said. “I was out like a light. I finally came round but couldn’t move. I was just stuck on the floor. I couldn’t even reach the phone to dial 999. I thought I was going to die. I was gone.”

Mr Rose says he lay in his hallway for around two hours before PCSO Karen Murton and Pc Rachael Partridge came to his rescue.

The officers were out delivering winter warmer kits to vulnerable people in the area.

“I knocked on the door and got no response, but I noticed the hall light was on,” said PCSO Murton, who has been checking on Mr Rose every month for the last two years.

“I started shouting through the letter box, telling him who I was. He said he had collapsed and was stuck on the floor.

“I called over Rachael and we eventually got ourselves through the door to help him.”

They called the emergency services and helped him into an ambulance.

Mr Rose spent a week in Ipswich hospital with low blood pressure. Doctors checked on him every 30 minutes before allowing him to leave once his blood pressure had returned to normal levels.

“They are my heroes,” said Mr Rose. “I was dead. I was gone. But they showed up and saved my life.”

PCSO Murton said: “It makes me incredibly happy hearing Arthur say that. He is a lovely man. We were in the right place at the right time.”

Pc Partridge added: “It’s just nice to help other people in the community. That’s what our job is about.”

Mr Rose has now been fitted with a wrist watch panic alarm, which is directly linked to emergency headquarters.

“If I collapse again they will know about it now,” he said. “And if I fall down slowly I can press the button to get them to come and help me.

“But I feel great now, thanks to Karin and Rachael.”

Chief Inspector Andrew Mason, of Ipswich Police, said: “I have no doubt that the actions of these two officers helped to save his life.”