A Lincoln City fan who suffered a cardiac arrest after a match has been reunited with the medical team and ambulance crews who saved his life.
Michael Bull, 62, from Lincoln, had finished watching the Lincoln City V Exeter match, on the 30 March, when he headed back to his car and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Michael’s friends were passing when they noticed him in his car slumped at the steering wheel. They immediately went to get help.
Sergeant Rob Gray and Police Constable Adam Barton from Lincolnshire Police were on duty at the match, they immediately started Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Michael.
East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) Paramedic Gary Duckett, who also works as part of the Lincoln City Football Club medical team was first on scene after running across the car park. He said: “When I arrived at the car, two policemen were carrying out CPR. Straight away I pulled Michael out onto the floor by his belt and got the defibrillator on him.”
Adrian Doughty, Paramedic for EMAS and the medical team , Andrew Doughy, Student Nurse and Mick Hargreaves, First Aider, were minutes behind Gary and they worked together to restart his heart.
Shortly after, EMAS Paramedic Kirsty Doyle arrived on scene in a fast response vehicle followed by ambulance crew Mark Coombes and Taff Powell. The staff worked hard to stabilise Michael before transporting him to Lincoln County Hospital.
Michael spent several weeks at in hospital before being transferred to Leicester Hospital where he had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) fitted. An ICD can correct some life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias before they go into cardiac arrest.
Last night Michael, wife Tess and their family were invited to the pre-season friendly match against Norwich City. Unfortunately Lincoln City didn’t have the desired win, with a 3-1 score to Norwich, but Michael won the best prize of all, meeting the heroes who saved his life.
Michael said having the chance for him and his family to meet the team and thank everybody personally for what they did for him was something special.
He added: “Knowing that so many people from EMAS and Lincoln City Football Club medical team were involved in resuscitating me, then getting me to hospital, and the fact that I am now feeling so well, is down to the pure professionalism and team work displayed by your wonderful staff.
“What a team of professional heroes you have within the service. The paramedics and ambulance staff were so dedicated that I know for sure I would not be here now if not for their quick reactions.
“I will never be able to thank them enough, except the person who cut my football shirt up! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Paramedic Gary Duckett had visited Michael when he was on the intensive care unit at Lincoln County Hospital but said it was lovely to see him back watching a game that he loves.
He added: “It is great to see Michael doing so well, attending matches and seeing him with his family and friends.”
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