A seven-year-old boy has thanked police officers for saving his life after he suffered a heart attack in his bedroom.
Tami Akeju was close to death when he suffered a cardiac arrest while asleep at his home in Brentford, west London.
On April 25, his parents Michael and Cynthia frantically called 999 after Tami's heart and breathing suddenly stopped, leaving him lifeless in his mother’s arms.
PCs Ed Bengree and Darren Greenall, from the Hounslow response team, were first on the scene and performed emergency CPR. They were supported by Sergeant Allan Shields, who arrived soon after.
After shocking the boy’s heart twice using a defibrillator, Tami began breathing again before he was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Consultants at West Middlesex Hospital said the police’s attempts to resuscitate Tami “undoubtedly” saved his life.
As a result of the heart attack, Tami suffered brain damage which left him unable to walk, talk or feed himself and he remained in hospital for four months.
Since August, he has been cared for at The Children’s Trust, a specialist rehab centre for children with brain injuries, where he is relearning how to walk and speak.
On Thursday, December 10 he met PCs Bengree, Greenall and Sergeant Shields at the centre in a surprise pre-Christmas visit where he told them “thank you for saving my life".
His mother Cynthia said: “I was delighted to finally come face-to-face with the officers who saved my son's life. Had it not been for them, Tami probably wouldn't be here today.
"That whole night was a nightmare and a complete blur and I couldn't thank them properly, so thank you for everything you did for me and my family.
"The day this happened, Tami had been to school and he was completely healthy.
“His whole life changed in a split second but I am so pleased that when he woke up he remembered his Mummy and Daddy.
Sergeant Allan Shields said the reunion was an emotional moment for the officers.
He said: “As police officers we learn to deal with our emotions, but when we heard Tami's first words they touched us with raw and deep emotion.
"Tami's determination and bravery is simply remarkable. It's unbelievable when you witness how much strength this little boy has and how he will not give up on learning all the things any seven-year-olds do.
"We will never forget Tami and the inspiration he has shown us all."
The three officers are due to receive awards for 'Successful Resuscitation' from the Royal Humane Society.
