PARAMEDICS, ambulance technicians and members of the public assisted an elderly man who became ill in Crediton High Street this afternoon, Friday, July 17.

The man was seated on a chair outside a pharmacy and was being cared for by members of staff before he became seriously ill at about 4.30pm.

Members of the public performed CPR and also used a local defibrillator on the man on the pavement outside the pharmacy until ambulance crews arrived, who then took over.

Police also assisted medical teams.

The public directed traffic while one carriageway of the A377 road was closed and until police took over the duties.

A member of the public drove paramedics from a Devon Air Ambulance, which landed in Newcombes Meadow, to the scene in the High Street.

The road remained partially closed for an hour.

The casualty was not transported in the helicopter.

No statement has been released about the condition of the gentleman.

It was the second time that emergency services dealt with an incident in Crediton High Street in about 24 hours.