AN AIR ambulance was scrambled after a man collapsed in an off licence.

Emergency services rushed to Roddy's Superstore, in Southchurch Road, to reports a man had become unwell in the shop.

Police were on hand to assist medics who were treating the man in the shop for over half an hour.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We received a call yesterday at 5.43pm to reports of a man who had collapsed at an address on Southchurch Road in Southend.

"We dispatched two ambulance crews, a rapid response vehicle, ambulance officer, and air ambulance from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAA) to assist.

"At the scene the man, believed to be in his 50s, was in cardiac arrest.

"Fortunately medics were able to resuscitate the patient before taking him to Southend University Hospital via land ambulance in a serious condition."

The air ambulance was spotted landing in Warrior Square and the medics were seen inside the shop, where the owner confirmed a customer had collapsed.

A 35-year-old bystander who asked to remain anonymous said: "I hope the man is alright. It looked pretty serious.

"We were really worried it had been raided and someone attacked because of the massive police presence, especially after what happened in Leigh."