RAIL staff battled in vain to save the life of a man who collapsed with a suspected heart attack in front of train passengers at York Station.

A passing anaesthetist also joined the fight to revive the man, who has not yet been named but was believed to have been in his 50s.

He was taken to York District Hospital, where he died.

The incident happened on platform nine at about 10.30am yesterday.

Nigel Metcalfe, of North Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said paramedic David Brayshaw and ambulance technician Charlie Heppell resuscitated the man.

When the crew arrived, rail workers were already performing a heart massage, and it is believed an anaesthetist also got off his train to assist.

Mr Metcalfe said: "We received a call saying a man had collapsed and gashed his head.

"We estimate his age at about 54. When our crew arrived, the gentleman was in cardiac arrest.

"But there was an anaesthetist who got off his train to help. He was with railway staff, who were doing a superb job.

"The crew took over and the man was taken to York District Hospital."

A spokesman for the coroner's office said a post-mortem examination was due to be held today.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, March 20, 2002