A DAD was left without a heartbeat for 20 minutes and fell into a serious coma after crossing the finish line of a half marathon.

Stefan Storrie, 28, from Ochiltree had just completed the Great Scottish Run when he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest, which stopped his heart.

He was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he fell into a coma leaving his heartbroken Fiance Kaz Louise Short and their two children, Amelia and Rogan, fearing he might not pull through.

Kaz, 26, had just given birth to son Rogan two weeks previously and was left shattered when she was told the news.

Now she is sharing the nightmare ordeal she faced not knowing if her partner would ever wake up.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Kaz said:“We had just got our wee boy out of hospital when Stefan went to run the half marathon.

“I stayed at home since our wee boy was only two weeks old and I got a message to say he had taken unwell.

“That was at 21 minutes past two and by half past I had another phone calltelling me to get to the hospital as soon as possible because he had gone into cardiac arrest after crossing the finish line.

“We had got engaged two weeks before our wee boy was born and then this all happened it was crazy, I felt like my world had crumbled down around me.

“He was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was in a coma for two weeks.

They tried to bring him round but failed a few times it was really scary.“He finally came out of ICU and was moved to high dependency and by November he got him home after he had to get an operation.”

Now the family want to repay everyone who helped save his life last year and are planning to return to the marathon this year where best pal Glen Gemmell will run in his place.

Kaz added: “Glasgow Royal Infirmary were amazing no amount of words or money could ever repay them for what they have done for my family it was unbelievable.

“Glen is running this year with Stefan’s number to raise money for them since they were so good to us.

“Stefan’s number has actually been reserved now it won’t ever be given out again it will always be in his name.

“The people at the Great Scottish Run were amazing as well they did everything they could to help him we can’t thank them enough.

“We still don’t know why that happened, he had done runs before it was just so out of the blue.

“I am so grateful he’s here and we can keep making memories with him.

“We are going back up to the event and meet the people who worked on Stefan at the event and get a chance to say thanks as well of course to watch Glen do it and be there when he crosses the finish line.”

Donate here to help Stefan and his family raise money for the hospital that saved his life.