A HEADTEACHER desperately tried to resuscitate a dying man who had crashed into his school.

Witnesses described how the acting headteacher of Colebrook Junior School, Anthony Talbot, performed chest compressions on Cyril Head, 83, who had driven into the caretaker’s house.

They watched in horror as the car ploughed through the school gates.

The incident happened on Towcester Road, Coleview, at about 4.45pm on Thursday, when an elderly couple were driving up the road, after visiting Coleview Community Centre.

Their Nissan Micra came off the road and smashed into railings.

When neighbours came out and helped the man and his wife, out of the car he appeared unhurt.

He then tried to drive the car, which was blocking the road, into the nearby school car park.

However, it is believed he then lost control, clipped the school wall and ploughed through the school gates and crashed into the side of the building.

Witnesses said the man may have had a heart attack at the wheel and lost consciousness.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Talbot said: “He’d collided with a barrier halfway along Towcester Road and people had helped him his car off the barrier.

“He started his car and drove backwards and unfortunately we believe he possibly blacked out.

“He clipped the wall and crashed into the gate which was open and collided with the wall of the bungalow.”

The acting headteacher watched the second incident from his office and described the loud bang on impact.

Mr Talbot, who was first on the scene, said: “He was in a very serious way.

“There were a number of people waiting at the bus stop and some people had seen the first accident and heard the second one.

“Our staff are trained in emergency procedures so from that point of view we were able to offer assistance, but sadly the man’s injuries were too severe.”

School caretaker Terry Lambert said: “The headteacher was brilliant, he was pumping the guy’s chest on the ground then a paramedic turned up – she had a ventilator.

“I assumed he wouldn’t make it and Tony shook his head a bit.”

Mr Talbot continued compressions for about 10 minutes until paramedics reached the scene.

Meanwhile staff collected noticeboards which they used to shield any children who were due to arrive at the school for a disco less than an hour later from what was happening.

Mr Talbot added: “The staff at both schools would like to offer their condolences to the gentleman’s family for their loss.”

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the central roads policing team of Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000.

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