British soldier steps in to resuscitate diner after he choked on mouthful of chicken and collapsed

The former RAF assistant air traffic controller rushed outside in an attempt to clear his airways but was unable to breathe.

Within moments, he lost consciousness on the pavement outside the establishment, reports the Oxford Mail.

Mr Stoopman, who suffers from a medical condition that makes swallowing difficult, later said he has no memory of events after stepping outside, with his next recollection being inside an ambulance.

Marc Smith, a Regimental Sergeant Major stationed at Dalton Barracks, witnessed the unfolding emergency from the window of The Tipsy Mercer bar next door.

The soldier, who was with his wife Rachel at the time, immediately ran outside to assist.

Upon reaching Mr Stoopman, he found the diner completely unresponsive with a blue complexion and no detectable pulse.

Drawing on his Army training, Mr Smith began administering CPR to the stricken man.

"I did four rounds of 60 seconds each for about four minutes and then people with us were saying 'he's coming back'," he recalled.

Restaurant co-owner Mark Dowle dialled 999 and paramedics arrived within minutes to take over from Mr Smith.

Mr Stoopman was transported to the John Radcliffe Hospital and discharged in the early hours.

He was emphatic about the debt he owes to his rescuer when the pair reunited for a drink at the Royal British Legion in Spring Road.

He said: "There is no question in my mind that if Marc had not been there it would have been game over.

"There is no doubt that I entirely owe my life to Marc for his swift intervention."

Mr Smith described the critical state in which he found the choking victim.

"Harry was unresponsive, he was blue in the face, I felt his neck and there was no pulse," he said.

The father-of-three explained that his military service had equipped him with the CPR skills that proved vital in those desperate moments.

Mr Stoopman has been open about his underlying health condition, which requires him to consume softer foods to avoid choking incidents.

He and his wife, who serves as a town councillor, were keen to emphasise that Chaba Thai bore no responsibility for what occurred.

The couple are now championing the importance of first aid education, urging as many people as possible to undertake training courses to learn life-saving techniques such as CPR.

Mr Smith has since departed 4 Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps at Dalton Barracks, having been promoted to Captain at 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment in Didcot.

First aid courses are available throughout Oxfordshire from providers including St John Ambulance in Kidlington and the British Red Cross at the Hilton Garden Inn in Abingdon.