The daughter of a man who sadly passed away after a heart attack has praised the emergency services who tried to help her dad and is now sharing her story to raise awareness of hidden heart diseases.

Dave Aspery was a fit and healthy 63-year-old who ran, played football, strength-trained, ate well, and didn’t drink or smoke. He spent his life working in physically demanding roles in the Navy, Fire Brigade and Mine Rescue teams, and his career in the emergency services meant he knew how to do CPR and was defibrillator trained.

His daughter Phoebe Aspery, 35, who is a health and strength coach said: “My dad was super fit, super healthy, he trained like an athlete, had the cleanest diet, and was the kindest man. He always looked at the positives in life, and nothing was ever an issue. If anyone ever needed help, my dad would be there regardless of who you are.”

Phoebe was at her parents’ home in Ingleby Barwick working in their gym, when her dad was returning home from work on 16 September 2025.

She said: “My mum spoke to him at about five o’clock and he said he was doing overtime at work, and he’d be home at six and was completely fine. They were having a laugh on the phone.

“He was driving home with a colleague, because they car share, and halfway home he became really unwell, and my dad was never ill, so he pulled over and asked his colleague to drive.

“I know the decision to pull the car over ultimately saved his colleague’s life. Even in that moment, I know he did it intentionally, because that’s who he was.”

After pulling up at the house, Dave got out of the car and ran into his home asking his family for a defibrillator and an ambulance, before collapsing on the floor.

Phoebe said: “I’d finished my work session, walked out of the gym and saw my dad sat on the floor clutching his chest. My mum was sat with him, she said your dad’s really unwell. I knew the symptoms were that of a heart attack and I went into shock and panicked. My dad told me to calm down and go and find a defib and my brother.”

The emergency services were called, Phoebe’s mum began CPR, before her friend took over with a defibrillator.

The North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service responded to the scene and worked together to try and save Dave’s life.

Phoebe said: “Once the air ambulance team arrived, you just felt their presence in the room and they took control. They were so professional, kind and compassionate.

“They worked on him for 40 minutes, but they couldn’t save him. Dad died in my mum’s arms, with me, my brother Cam, and our dog Rupert beside him.

Dave’s heart attack was caused by asymptomatic ischemic heart disease, which is essentially a blockage to the heart. He had no symptoms or warning signs of heart disease, and sometimes the fitter you are, the fewer symptoms you get. This is something that can often develop in mid life and can be referred to as marathon runners’ hearts.

Around 300 people came to mourn Dave at his funeral and instead of flowers, the family asked for donations to the Great North Air Ambulance.

Phoebe said: “He is an amazing person. His loss has left our family in shock, but also the entire community, along with colleagues past and present. It’s not something you ever expect to happen to somebody so fit and healthy.

“He was incredibly humble and hated any kind of fuss. He never wanted recognition for what he did, even though he spent his life helping others.”

Phoebe has since been working with Heart Research UK to raise awareness around asymptomatic heart disease and is sharing her dad’s story to make sure other fit and healthy people get the necessary checks to stay well.

She said: “Asymptomatic ischemic heart disease was not something our family were aware of. I’ve been trying to bring this to the attention of more people by speaking at events, online and among those I work with, about the importance of heart health especially in midlife. Encouraging people to look after themselves and be aware that even if they feel fit and healthy, there is a chance they may have an underlying heart condition.

“Saving even one person’s life is the goal. If I can prevent other families from experiencing the pain of losing a loved one, and the grief and trauma that comes with it, then my dad’s legacy lives on.”