TAXI firm staff have been hailed as heroes for their quick reactions which saved a pensioner's life.

When 69 year-old David Jenkins, of Pentredwr, Rhos, was slipping into a diabetic coma while waiting for an ambulance, his daughter Donna McMahon had to think quickly.

In her panic she called the taxi firm her father regularly uses, Crown Cars in Rhos, whose staff Debbie Rogers on reception and Mark Jones the driver, remained calm under pressure and reacted swiftly to save his life.

They reached Wrexham Maelor Hospital just in time, and fortunately Mr Jenkins has made a recovery.

Ms McMahon said: "I owe my dad's life to them. Another hour and he'd have been in a coma.

"He is diabetic and had a really bad attack. He had pains in his legs, he was wobbly, he was very, very poorly.

"I'd rang 999 for ambulance but realised they would be inundated and it could be four or five hours waiting, so I phoned Crown Cars because I know they take him into Wrexham every Sunday.

"I was desperate and didn't know what else to do, but the receptionist Debbie recognised my dad's name and straight away sent Mark around to his house.

"Dad was struggling but Mark kept on talking to him until we reached the hospital.

"When we got there the staff said another hour and he would have gone into a diabetic coma. We really do owe them."

Hero driver Mr Jones said that amid the drama, he was just concentrating on keeping calm and getting Mr Jenkins to hospital as quickly and as safely as he could.

He said: "I'd just come straight off another job when Debbie said to go straight to Dave's house.

"When I got there he could hardly walk, he was in pain and was saying that other than that he couldn't feel his legs.

"I helped him over my shoulder and pushed the seat right back for him, keeping him talking while getting there safely.

"When we got there I waited with his daughter to make sure he was going to be alright, and got a wheelchair and staff for him to help him out of the car.

"I'm just glad we got there in time."

Mr Jenkins has since met up with staff at the taxi firm to thank them for their help on the night.