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Football

18th Oct 2021

Newcastle fan given hero’s welcome after rushing to aid of ill supporter

Callum Boyle

The supporter, who required medical emergency treatment, is now stabilised in hospital

A Newcastle United fan, who helped perform life-saving treatment on a supporter at St James’ Park, was given a hero’s welcome during Sunday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur after returning to his seat.

The game was temporarily suspended towards the end of the first half after Spurs’ Sergio Reguilon was alerted by a member of the home crowd that a supporter required urgent medical attention.

The full-back then informed referee Andre Marriner, who took the decision to suspend the game while Eric Dier grabbed the attention of the medical staff, at which point Newcastle club doctor Dr Paul Catterson attended the scene to also help.

Medical professionals were on hand to help out with members of the crowd also doing what they could to provide a helping hand, including Dr Pritchard who is a member of the North Tees A&E regiment as he helped to perform life-saving treatment.

Upon returning to his seat, Pritchard was rightly welcomed with rapturous applause for his help on the scene which helped to save the supporter’s life.

In a statement on Newcastle’s Twitter account, they confirmed that the supporter who had been taken ill, had successfully made it to hospital where he was now in a stabilised condition.

It said: NUFC can confirm that a supporter who required emergency medical treatment during today’s game at St. James’ Park is stable and responsive in hospital. 

Expanding further in a statement online, they said: “The club would like to thank fans for their swift actions in raising the alarm and praise those who provided immediate chest compressions, as well as thanking the on-site medical professionals who swiftly administered emergency treatment using a defibrillator located close to the incident.

“Newcastle United club doctor, Dr Paul Catterson, also attended the incident to offer additional support with an additional defibrillator.

“Our best wishes go to the supporter and their loved ones and we hope for a swift and full recovery.”

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