THESE are the heroes who saved the life of a Newcastle United fan who suffered a cardiac arrest during a Premiership match.
The man, in his 70s, suddenly collapsed in his seat, but a quick-thinking nurse and four doctors rushed to help.
They gave him CPR and then cut off his clothes to attach defibrillator pads to shock him back to life.
Nurse Ruth McDonald, 62, was one of the first on scene at the clash with Tottenham at St James’ Park.
Referee Andre Marriner stopped play in the first half for 20 minutes after Spurs ace Sergio Reguilon alerted him to the drama.
Ruth of Hebburn, South Tyneside, said: “I could see something was happening and people were frantically trying to get help.
“Some of the fans around him had already laid the man flat. I took over the CPR and we delivered the first shock.”
Dr Tom Prichard, 34, a United season ticket holder, also ran over with his pal Dr Matt Anderson.
Dr Prichard, who works in A&E at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It alI happened so quickly.
“There was an elderly gentleman lying on the seats in cardiac arrest.
“An intensive care doctor arrived and a cardiologist, and we were able to bring him back again.
“When I was walking back to my seat and 10,000 fans were chanting ‘Hero’ at me — that is one of the best moments of my life.”
Nurse Ruth added: “It was a real team effort.”
Tottenham went on to win 2-3.
The stricken fan — named only as George by club bosses — was yesterday recovering in hospital.
His son Paul Smith said: “He seems OK. I wish to thank every single person who helped him. It could have been a totally different outcome without them.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
