Best friends are supposed to have each other’s backs, but Ryan Spencer from Stevenage owes his life to his best mate.

When the 17-year-old had a fit at Jack Laycock’s house he dialled 999 for an ambulance and made sure Ryan got to hospital.

And doctors said later that if Jack had not acted the way he did Ryan may not have survived.

The ambulance arrived within six minutes and during the journey to hospital Ryan had nine more fits.

The teenager, of Colestrete, was later diagnosed as suffering from potentially deadly meningitis.

Jack, a student at North Herts College, said: “I thought he was just stretching his arms – but then he didn’t stop and I knew he was having a fit. I got very scared and called for my mum and then an ambulance.

“He had fallen down the side of my bed when he was fitting and she put him in the recovery position.

“I rode with him in the ambulance and he was still having fits.

“I nearly fainted twice because I was so worried – it was such a shock.

“I am over the moon that he is getting better. I am fine now, but it was really scary at the time.”

Ryan and his parents Becky and Steven now want to thank Jack, the nurses and ambulance staff who helped save his life.

Dad Steve said: “It was such a shock, Ryan is fighting fit and he plays football nearly every day.

“We were told when we got to the hospital that it did not look too good, not to expect too much.

“They were fantastic, I just wanted to thank everyone really.”

Mum Becky, who works for the Stevenage Town Centre Management Company, said: “We just want to say thank you to Jack because if it was not for his quick reactions we were told Ryan would not be here today.”

Ryan said: “I’m amazed, really surprised as he is the last person I would have thought to have handled that situation so well, but I guess you don’t really know what someone will do until it happens.

“I don’t know how I will ever repay him. He’s one of my best mates – but he sort of has to be now doesn’t he!”