Bill Single could easily have died when he suffered a "widow maker" heart attack while driving home — but a quick-thinking stranger saved his life.
Now the Sunshine Coast man's family wants to find the "angel" who came to his aid.
Mr Single's ordeal began with chest pains that became so severe he could no longer drive his car or speak on the phone.
But as the left main artery of his heart became increasingly blocked, and his chances of survival slimmed, a stranger stopped to help.
She took his phone and explained to the emergency services operator where he was and kept him comfortable and conscious while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Mr Single was rushed straight to surgery where he had a stent placed in his aorta.
"In those sorts of things, I guess time is of the essence, so it was good," Mr Single said.
His daughter, Narelle Corbett, said without the stranger's help to get the ambulance to him, Mr Single might not have survived.
"She was just like an angel ... I'm really glad she came along," she said.
"We found [out] that the actual heart attack that he had was the main aorta, which is [known as] a widow maker.
"Not a lot of people survive it to be honest; she's saved someone's life and how often do you get to do that in your life?"
Mr Single and his family are looking for the good Samaritan so they can express their gratitude to her.
"Just to give her a bunch of flowers and a hug and say thank you — I'd really love to find her," Ms Corbett said.
"We're very grateful to still have him around ... Mum's not a widow, and he's under strict instructions; he's got to behave himself now."
Don't hesitate to help
While Ms Corbett is relieved that someone helped her father, she understands why people might hesitate to render assistance.
She believes there needs to be greater recognition for those who do stop to help.
"[People] don't pull up often ... we're worried about our own safety," Ms Corbett said.
"I do understand sometimes people don't like to butt their noses in ... so it's difficult, but we're very lucky she did."
It's a sentiment echoed by Mr Single.
"Just my heartfelt thanks for taking the time pulling over and giving what assistance she could to help me so I wouldn't kick the bucket."
Mr Single also hopes his story will encourage more people to stop and offer help when they spot someone in distress.
"It's good that they pulled up — not a lot of people will do it these days but there's still a number out there that will pull up and give you a hand if you need it," he said.
"It's a two-minute job; don't hesitate about it, just pull up and say, 'You right?' — if they're right, OK, if not, well do what you can to get 'em going."
The family also expressed their gratitude for the emergency services and hospital staff for their quick response.
"There was no ramping; he went straight into theatre and the process for emergency worked really well," Ms Corbett said.
Are you the woman who stopped to help? You can email us at coast@abc.net.au.
