A STUDENT nurse who helped revive an elderly man who collapsed following an Argyle match said she only learned the skill a few weeks beforehand, writes Carl Eve.

Claire Murray had spotted the 89-year-old man lying on the centre island of the crossing in Outland Road and raced to help.

Claire, from Manchester, had been visiting her boyfriend Phil Morgan and had attended her first Plymouth Argyle match at Home Park when the incident happened earlier this month.

Off-duty Inspector Richard Nettleship, who had attended the game with his wife and children, was already performing CPR on the elderly man who had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Claire, who is in her second year studying to be a registered nurse at the University of Manchester, said: "I had just done my CPR training in the last month.

"I don't remember making a decision, I just went over. The next thing I was walking away again.

"I always worried before about seeing something and not remembering my training. But I guess instinct took over."

Claire, aged 24, had never been to a football match before and visits Plymouth to see her boyfriend Phil on a regular basis.

She had returned to Manchester believing the elderly man had died.

But after visiting Argyle fan websites which linked to The Herald's article about the incident, she realised he had survived.

She said: "I was so emotional about finding out, I ran out of a lecture in tears. I'm just so pleased he's okay and I'd like to get in touch with his family to pass on my best wishes."

Supt John Green said: "It's always fantastic when a member of the public steps forward in desperate circumstances, thinking of the welfare of others.

"I think it's particularly brave for a young student nurse to step in, so early in her career, with only thoughts of helping this man.

"It's a big ask, even for experienced officers and paramedics, but much more so for this young woman.

"Her actions helped save the man's life, I've no doubt about that."