A MODEST Good Samaritan hailed as a life saver today said he just did what any other person would have done.Former policeman Peter Ling recognised that Alan Mills, 65, was about to have a heart attack and took him straight to a doctor - rather than back to the golf clubhouse where he wanted to go.

A MODEST Good Samaritan hailed as a life saver today said he just did what any other person would have done.

Former policeman Peter Ling recognised that Alan Mills, 65, was about to have a heart attack and took him straight to a doctor - rather than back to the golf clubhouse where he wanted to go.

The victim's family said if Mr Ling had not taken Mr Mills to Central Surgery in Felixstowe, he would not have survived.

Mr Ling, of Kirton, said the incident highlighted the need for Felixstowe to have a proper staffed and equipped community hospital.

“I just did what anyone would have done. I saw this man walking off the second tee at Felixstowe Ferry and I thought that was a bit unusual,” said Mr Ling, a conservation worker with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

“He wanted to be taken back to the clubhouse but I was a bit concerned by what he was telling me and thought he really needed to see a doctor as quickly as possible.

“I couldn't take him to Felixstowe General because I couldn't be sure if there would be a doctor on duty and Ipswich Hospital was too far, so I took him to Central Surgery.

“If anyone deserves the credit for saving him, it is the doctor and the paramedics - not me. I just did a transport job.”

Mr Ling, who had been on the golf links taking photos of recent conservation work, said Felixstowe needed a proper community hospital to deal with such emergencies.

Mr Mills had just started a round of golf with his son-in-law Steve Oughton, both from the Bunton Hills Golf Club in Brentwood, Essex, when he started having chest pains.

At the surgery staff used a defibrillator to restart his heart while an ambulance was called.

Mr Oughton, 32, thanked the Evening Star for helping to track down Mr Ling.

“My father-in-law collapsed as soon as he got to the surgery and had a terrible heart attack,” he said.

“But thankfully the doctors there knew exactly what to do and had the right equipment.

“We have thanked them but we just wanted to thank our mystery good Samaritan as well - now we are hoping to set up a meeting with him so dad can say a proper thank you.”