Star applauded over park life-saving action

Sam Dempster, 27, collapsed during a run in London’s Hyde Park on April 27.

The Rain Man star, who has a house in the capital, waited with the stricken lawyer until paramedics from London Ambulance Service (LAS) carried out resuscitation and rushed him to hospital.

It is thought the 74-year-old actor also called the emergency services but LAS was unable to confirm this.

After paramedics Martin Macarthur and Luke Sullivan restarted Mr Dempster’s heart, Hoffman said: “Great job, guys.”

Mr Dempster was taken to hospital and underwent life-saving surgery like Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba who collapsed with the same condition during a live televised FA Cup game.

Mr Dempster said: “I have no memory of what happened.

“The paramedics told me I had been saved by Dustin Hoffman.

“It’s unbelievable.”

Mr Dempster was enjoying a morning run when he collapsed as the actor was taking a walk.

Paramedic Mr Macarthur said: “Dustin was fascinated. He seemed impressed we’d got this guy back so quickly.

“When we were carrying the patient into the ambulance he walked up and said ‘Great job, guys’. He really appreciated what had happened.”

Writing on his recovery blog “Heart-throbbing”, Mr Dempster applauded Hoffman and the paramedics.