Toronto drummer 'thanks his lucky stars' for friends who saved his life

A Toronto drummer who collapsed on stage two years ago had the chance to honour the people who saved his life at the annual Toronto Paramedic Services Awards Tuesday afternoon.

Mike Osborne was playing a gig with his band, Coyote Blue, at Etobicoke's Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge on July 4, 2014 when he suddenly collapsed, suffering from a cardiac arrest.

"All we remember is the drums going over...and a lot of people screaming," said David Fox.

Fox and his wife, Rowena, are friends of Osborne's. They were at the venue to watch him play. Both are registered nurses and sprang into action.

"It just happened so quickly," Rowena said. "David went and started the CPR right away, and I just stayed on the phone basically."

Kim McKinnon of Toronto Paramedic Services says the work of bystanders is essential for saving lives. 

The awards honour those bystanders, as well as City of Toronto employees, Toronto paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, operations support staff and members of the media.

McKinnon advises those dealing with an emergency to start CPR as soon as possible, something Fox says everyone should know how to do.

"It's just instinct for us," he said.

Osborne says he thanks the couple every day. He's doing well after an emergency bypass surgery following his collapse. 

"Now the good thing, I must say, is I now have two birthdays a year. One of them is July the 4th. That's when they saved me, when I came back to life."

"I thank my lucky stars every day for them," he said.

Osborne says the awards are a way of giving recognition to those who unselfishly and willingly help out in a time of need.

Fox and his wife are just happy they were able to help.

"To see he's alive, that's the biggest reward."