Fareham hero saves grandson's life during fatal heart attack

On July 9, Dave Nutter, 63, went to Whiteley with Tristin, nine, to buy presents for him and his other 5-year-old grandson Archie, who was having major head surgery.

The former chief petty officer was driving home to Fareham on the M27 at around 1pm when the heart attack happened.

READ MORE: Race For Life Southampton: as it happened

Despite being in unimaginable pain, Dave was able to bring the car to a stop without causing a crash, leaving his vehicle with comparatively minor damage and Tristin unscathed.

A quick-thinking Tristin flagged down a nearby driver for help and Dave was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital where he passed away last Sunday (July 18).

Now his family are raising money to give him the farewell he deserves.

His daughter Kathryn Jenvey-Vallender, 28 (pictured above) said: "He is nothing short of a hero in our eyes.

"The massive thing we have taken away from this all is how heroic my dad was, even in the worst time.

"They say heart attack pain is horrific, but he still managed to get himself and his grandson to safety.

"He was always the kind of guy who would put everyone before himself, and in that moment I know the only thing he would have cared about is stopping that car and making sure Tristin was safe."

The woman who stopped at the scene and called 999, having seen Tristin waving out of the car window, later told Kathryn he was 'the bravest nine-year-old I have ever encountered in my life'.

Thanks to his actions, first responders were able to do CPR on Dave for 25 minutes, keeping him alive - although he sadly never recovered.

Dave's wife of 37 years, Carole, aged 63 (pictured with him below) began to worry when the pair did not return.

Suddenly, she said, 'Tristin was coming through the front door, followed by a police officer'.

"He said, 'I'm sorry to tell you, but your husband has been involved in a serious accident and it doesn't look good.'

"I just can't find the words to describe how I felt," Carole added.

Dave and Carole had been looking after Tristin while Kathryn and her husband were in Oxford with their son Archie, who had been diagnosed with craniosynostosis - the premature fusing of plates in his skull - and was having specialist surgery at John Radcliffe Hospital to relieve pressure on his brain and save his sight.

This has been a success and he is recovering.

Kathryn, from Park Gate, said: "It has been so hard on us as a family, to go through something so awful with my son and then this with my dad. But it shows how strong we are as a family."

During a career spanning more than 22 years as a weapons engineering officer, Dave served during the Gulf War and on board vessels including HMS Fearless, HMS Invincible and HMS York.

He leaves behind Carole, Kathryn, her older brother Mark Whitear, 42, her younger brother Simon Nutter, 23, Tristin and Archie.

In the wake of his death, the family realised he did not have plans in place for a funeral.

Now they are raising funds to give him the hero's goodbye he deserves - and are considering scattering his ashes at sea, given his naval connections.

So far, more than 150 people have donated £3,000 out of a £4,000 target on their GoFundMe page.

Holding back tears, Carole said: "I'm so overwhelmed by the generosity of so many people. I can't thank them enough."

She added: "It brings me some degree of comfort to know what he did that day. He deserves a medal or a Pride of Britain award."

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