No symptoms before fan's match-day cardiac arrest
NEASA football fan who had a cardiac arrest after watching his team lose said he had no symptoms beforehand.
Philip Wright, 71, collapsed at a bar in Sunderland after attending SAFC's home game with Stoke City on 11 January, which Stoke won 2-1.
A member of staff and Northumbria Police officers who were nearby began chest compressions as a 999 call was made.
"I don't remember anything from my cardiac arrest, only that I know I was with my friend when it happened," Mr Wright said.
"I hadn't even experienced any symptoms beforehand, so it really came as a shock to those around me."
First to arrive were North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) crew, Josh Plumpton and Charlotte Spark, who were based in Pallion.
"I remember the call very well," Mr Plumpton said at a reunion between the crew and Mr Wright.
"We didn't have much information other than we were attending a cardiac arrest and that the scene was chaotic."
He added "everything that could have gone in Philip's favour literally did", as his cardiac arrest was recognised early and he received effective early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as well as shocks by a defibrillator.
'Only one in 10 survive'
Mr Wright spent three weeks in hospital.
"Even though the future is uncertain, I wanted to meet the people who saved me and thank them in person," he said.
Paramedic Stephen Duffield said he had never had a reunion with a patient before.
"In honesty, it feels a bit surreal as we don't often get positive results from cardiac arrests, as only one in 10 survive," he said.
"But it makes all the training and effort worth it to see that on this occasion we have saved this gentleman's life."
PC Mark Atchison said it was not the "typical match-day incident we're used to dealing with", but he was pleased officers had been able to help Mr Wright.
A cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops pumping, which prevents blood from flowing to the brain and other vital organs, depriving them of oxygen.
This is different from a heart attack, although a heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest.