A 21-year-old Masterton woman was revived by an off duty St John officer after collapsing of a suspected heart attack while chasing a shoplifter yesterday.
Police said the Farmers employee, along with a second staff member, chased a 23-year-old woman alleged to have stolen a handbag worth $190.
The suspect was chased across Masterton's main street and down a small lane next to Paper Plus, where the retail worker collapsed.
Masterton Police Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said the off-duty St John worker went to her aid, and she was taken to Masterton Hospital's high dependency unit and later transferred to Wellington Hospital.
"She was brought back with paddles, so her heart had stopped. She was very lucky to have the woman from St John's nearby.''
