Medics praise public who saved the life of golfer in Sunderland

The Great North Air Ambulance was called to Wearside Golf Club in Sunderland at 12.25pm, yesterday.

An 81-year-old golfer had suffered a heart attack while out on the course.

Members of the public had rushed to his aid giving him CPR until paramedics arrived.

Paramedic Andy Mawson praised those involved. He said: “Following incredible work by members of the public at the golf club, CPR was initiated and a portable defibrillator was used before road paramedics arrived and began advanced life-support.

“The combined effort restarted the patient’s heart and he was then given critical care support and a general anaesthetic by the consultant-led team from GNAAS. This was to place him into an induced coma, to ensure he was as stable as possible and to give him the best possible chance of survival.”

The man was then taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital by North East Ambulance Service where specialist cardiac care was available.

He added: “None of the advanced care that was delivered by the medical crews would have been possible without the efforts of the people at the golf club in the first instance, and for that we commend them all and join them in wishing the very best for the patient and his family.”