ONE of two Good Samaritans who helped save the life of an 11-week-old baby in Minehead is set to forge a lifelong link with the family.

As reported in last week's Free Press, Phoenix Whitewick-Bennett choked and stopped breathing after suffering an allergic reaction to his formula milk.

Martin Heard, who lives near the family in Summerland Avenue, stepped in to help after hearing Rebecca Whitewick - Phoenix's mum - screaming for help.

The trained first aider carried out five rounds of CPR, managing to get Phoenix breathing again before paramedics took over.

Now 54-year-old Martin, pictured, has spoken of the close bond that has developed with the family since the terrifying ordeal and revealed that he and his wife Sue have been asked to become godparents to Phoenix.

"It's the biggest honour and we were really touched," he told the Free Press.

"They sent me a lovely card thanking me for what I had done and we've become good friends.

"Phoenix will be a very special godchild."

Martin was only in the area at the time of the incident because he had popped home in his lunch hour to cancel his car insurance.

A member of the maintenance team at Foxes Academy, Martin had been fully trained in first aid, including CPR, on both adults and children for his job.

And just a few weeks previously he had also been trained in the use of defibrillators as part of an initiative by Foxes to get the life- saving equipment for people suffering heart failure into outlets across the town.

"When I saw Rebecca with Phoenix in her arms, I took one look at him and realised I had to act quickly," said Martin.

As he began administering CPR, another Good Samaritan - whose identity is still unknown - stopped his car and offered to help.

The mystery man spoke to ambulance staff on the phone while Martin continued the life-saving first aid and also went to get Rebecca's 17-month-old daughter India-Rose, who was still in the house and distraught.

After paramedics arrived, Martin went back to work, where the shock of the incident began to sink in.

"At the time the whole thing seemed surreal but afterwards I was quite affected by what had happened," he said.

Martin's boss Barry Simkins, who has been involved in Foxes' defibrillator initiative, said the incident highlighted how important first aid skills could be.

"Martin was very shaken up by the whole thing and was shaking like a leaf when he told us about it," he said.

"But everyone at Foxes is very proud of him."

Phoenix, meanwhile, is making a good recovery despite a further choking incident and a second spell in hospital.

Rebecca said she could not thank Martin and the mystery motorist enough.

"I thought my son was going to die. It was every parent's worst nightmare.

"If it wasn't for Martin and the other kind stranger who stopped to help us that day, it could have been a very different story."

Photo: Steve Guscott