The actions of a quick thinking woman have saved a man's life on Friday morning according to a Dean farmer.
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Bill Fraser, who lives in Dean and operates a number of farms in the Newlyn-Dean area told The Courier he was thankful for the actions of the woman.
Around 11.30am on Friday morning, a man was dropping fish into Mr Fraser's dam, something the man had been doing for around 20 years according to the farmer.
At that time it is suspected the man, who was accompanied by a woman, went into cardiac arrest, collapsing at the dam embankment.
Firefighters who arrived at the scene after the incident told The Courier the woman quickly called 000, before attempting to resuscitate the man for around 30 minutes.
When paramedics arrived, the man was transported to Ballarat Base Hospital in a critical condition.
After the incident, the woman appeared distraught, having to be helped to walk by a member of the CFA.
Mr Fraser praised the woman, who he believes saved the man's life.
"She did a great thing," he said.
If it were not for what she did, he would probably be dead.
- Dean farm owner Bill Fraser
Having known the man for around 20 years, Mr Fraser said he was relieved when he found out he was still alive.
"He's just an all around good person," Mr Fraser added.
"I know he has been struggling with some heart issues, but you never expect something like this to happen.
"He loves fishing - probably one of the best fly-fishers I've ever seen. I've seen him catch seven or eight fish in short order and just put them all back... he just loved the sport.
"He would sometimes catch fish and bring it up to the house to feed the whole family... that's just the sort of person he is, so I'm really glad he's okay."
With the region currently in the grips of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Mr Fraser said some good news in what people needed to hear.
"It's all a bit doom and gloom at the minute, so to see someone save another person's life is amazing."
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