Gary ‘Jack’ Duncan breaks down as he meets the people who saved his life

A Sunshine Coast horse trainer has been overcome with emotion at his ‘second chance at life’ after meeting those who saved him. HEAR TRIPLE ZERO CALL, WATCH THE REUNION

Tears flowed down Gary Duncan’s face as he thanked the men and women who saved his life.

The colourful racing identity from the Sunshine Coast was enjoying the day at Doomben Racecourse when he started to feel a tightness in his throat.

He took a sip of water.

Then he collapsed without warning.

Bystanders Brendan Styles and Michael Reed jumped into action having just taken a course in CPR the week previously.

It was their actions alongside the paramedics on scene that undoubtedly saved Mr Duncan’s life.

“It’s incredible really,” he said as he began to cry.

The men and women who came to his aid on that day on July 24, reassuring him yet again that he was ok.

“It’s pretty hard … but it’s good to see them,” Mr Duncan said.

“It’s good to be here, I’m very lucky, a lot of people don’t get a second chance.

“It feels unreal … I’d like to give them something but what do you do.”

First aid medics at the racecourse delivered two shocks via a defibrillator bringing him back to life.

Miraculously he regained a pulse allowing paramedics to identify that he was suffering a serious heart attack.

Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic Kaitlyn Duignan and her partner Amy were on the track when the situation unfolded.

“When we first arrived he was still unconscious but within a matter of seconds he came back to,” she said.

He was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where he underwent surgery.

He remained in hospital for a further four days.

Mr Duncan says he felt so incredibly lucky the situation played out when it did.

“I’m lucky it happened here and not when I was driving down, lucky it happened here,” he said.

“I was lucky the two blokes came over … they had just done a course the week before in CPR.

“As soon as I went down, they knew they got onto me straight away.

“If it had happened down the paddock at home – I’d be gone.”

Sunshine Coast horse trainer Gary 'Jack' Duncan thanks the men and women who saved him after suffering a heart attack at the track. Picture: Natalie Wynne.

The renowned trainer of more than 20 years said it definitely changed his outlook on life.

“I was never expecting that in my wildest dreams,” Mr Duncan said.

“It could happen to anybody … I feel sorry for the poor buggers who don’t get a second chance.

“It doesn’t make me stop wanting to train horses or anything like that.

“(The doctors) said I just have to take it easy, I’m not going to get better overnight it will take a few months.

“The main thing is the heart has to heal up – I’m definitely blessed.”

Gary 'Jack' Duncan with the men and women who saved his life. Picture: Natalie Wynne.

Michael Kusznir from event medical service provider 1300 Medics said the incident was a great reminder just how important learning CPR is, when every minute counts.

“Early CPR and early shocks is what saved this man’s life that day,” he said.

“The key to that chance of survival is early CPR and early defibrillation – it’s just textbook, it’s perfect the way it went that day.

“It’s a testament to the actual process because if there was a delay there might not be the same outcome.

“Just make sure you know the basics, it can get tiring but you can save someone’s life.”

As for the man better known as ‘Jack’, he’s hoping to get back trackside this Saturday, promising to give his life saving angels a few hot tips.