HEARTBROKEN Chris Gleed has praised the emergency services' compassionate efforts to save his 'beloved' sister after she suffered a heart attack on the M4 on Saturday.

Eldest sister, June Titcombe suffered a cardiac arrest on her way to Bristol, where she was due to meet her great-grandson for the first time.

The 85-year-old of Downs View, Royal Wootton Bassett, was being driven by her daughter, Julie when she suffered the attack near Leigh Delamere services.

Emergency services, including Wiltshire Air Ambulance, attended the scene and she was rushed to the Bristol Royal Infirmary by road ambulance.

Despite efforts to revive her, she suffered kidney failure and the family took the difficult decision to switch off her life-support machines. June died around 5pm on Sunday.

"My sister and I were very, very close, and I am still reeling from the shock, as all the family are," said Chris, who is the youngest and now only surviving sibling of five.

"When I heard that news I felt absolutely numb.

"To think I can't drop in on her during the week for a cup of tea, or go around and see her on Sunday mornings any more, is unbearable."

But despite his grief, the 73-year-old of Purton was impressed by the care offered to his sister and has thanked all the staff involved for their hard work.

"I would like to take the time to thank the emergency services and Air Ambulance involved, and also the staff and doctors at Bristol Royal Infirmary for their attention and compassion shown to the family at this sad time," he said.

"The emergency services and the police and the paramedics and all the staff at the Bristol Infirmary worked so hard and did all they could.

"One nurse stayed up with her all through the night, and the compassion they showed was so touching.

"When her kidneys failed they said their was a risk she had some brain damage, and to save her suffering the machines should be switched off, but they even offered to wait to enable anyone who wanted to go to see her to get there before she went.

"I know the last thing June would have wanted was to have to go into a home to be cared for, and even though I would never have wanted her to go that way in the circumstances, anything to save her having to suffer."

Chris also apologised for anyone inconvenienced by the road closures on Saturday.

"I am an advanced driver with RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and when we say there were road closures that almost always means somebody is in trouble," he said.

"I've no doubt there were people stuck on the road who needed to be somewhere and missed important engagements but to have it happen to someone so close to you puts it in a different light.

"But it is reassuring to know when it does happen there is help there in abundance."