A MAN is in a critical condition after collapsing during a gym class at Colchester’s Leisure World.

The man, who is believed to be in his 50s, was taken ill at 2.20pm today and was treated at the scene for a cardiac arrest.

Following the emergency treatment he was taken to Basildon Hospital by the Essex Air Ambulance, which took off from Castle Park just before 3.30pm.

Steve Box, ambulance officer for the East of England Ambulance Service who attended the incident, said: "The casualty had gone into cardiac arrest after collapsing during a fitness class at the centre.

“Fortunately for him, the leisure centre staff gave absolutely fantastic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and as a result, they managed to get his heart beating normally again.

"We worked to stabilise him before he was airlifted by Essex Air Ambulance to Basildon Hospital, in a critical condition.

"The staff at the centre were brilliant so I'd like to say a huge thank you and well done to them for their efforts."