Man saved by on the ball medics

An elderly football fan's life was saved by quick thinking medics after he had a heart attack at a Boxing Day football match.

Ron Poole, 76, was watching Coventry City's game against Sheffield United at Highfield Road when he collapsed.

Paramedics were called and cardiac consultant Peter Glennon, who was nearby, rushed to the scene after being alerted by a friend.

They carried out CPR heart massage and managed to restart Mr Poole's heart.

'Lucky man'

The staunch Coventry City fan, who is making a recovery, said: "All I can remember is that Coventry City had just missed an early penalty and the next thing I knew was when I woke up in hospital.

"I think it must have been the disappointment of Coventry missing the penalty that caused it to happen."

The ambulance crew had already started cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when Dr Glennon, who works at the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry, arrived.

Dr Glennon said: "I went down to help the ambulance crew who had already started resuscitating the patient and had got him back with the first shock.

"The patient then had a further cardiac arrest which required two more defibrillatory shocks - he then reverted back to a normal heart rhythm.

"Thanks to the prompt action by the paramedics Mr Poole is now sitting up in bed and well on the road to a full recovery. He is a very lucky man."

Mr Poole, who has been a season ticket holder for about 40 years, used to play amateur football. Most of his family are also Coventry City football fans.