A team of doctors got more than they bargained for during a charity bike ride when they stopped mid0race to save a man's life.

Ten paediatric consultants cycled 55 miles from central London to Brighton last month) to raise money for St George’s Hospital Charity.

Eight miles in, three members of the team – Dr Morwenna Hodin, Dr Emma Sage and Dr Sophie Vaughan – arrived at just the right moment to help a cyclist who had collapsed in cardiac arrest.

CPR, mouth to mouth and two shocks later, with help from the London Ambulance Service, the man was stabilised and transferred to St George’s Cardiac Unit by air ambulance.

The three consultants then got back on their bikes to continue their charity cycle journey to Brighton.

The patient, Ajit Chudasama, from Croydon, had no history of heart problems and said he’d been comfortably cycling 50-60 miles in preparation for the ride. He was fundraising for Cancer Research UK in memory of his mum.

Ajit said: “I remember cycling from Clapham to Balham but nothing after that. I collapsed on Park Hill in Carshalton. The next thing I remember was waking up in St George’s ICU.

“The three consultants who stopped to help came back to St George’s to see me after they’d finished the ride and then again once I’d woken up.

"Without them I don’t think I’d be here now – I’m very lucky.

“It restores your faith in human nature when people stop to help a complete stranger. If my health allows, I hope to do it again next year to raise money for St George’s Hospital Charity.”

Dr Hodin, Dr Sage and Dr Vaughan, said in a joint statement: “It was a real team effort between us, London Ambulance Service, HEMS, the police and everyone else in the community who stopped to help.

“We don’t usually get to witness pre-hospital care, so it was fantastic to see first-hand the incredible job teams do on the ground before patients arrive at St George’s. We’re delighted to see Ajit recovering well and receiving the treatment he needs from our specialist teams.”

The Paediatric Services cycling team raised £3,458.50 so far, for specialist equipment to support children with breathing difficulties. To find out more about the team’s fundraising journey, click here.