EXCLUSIVE: Police officer’s ‘relief’ after team effort saved young Scots rugby player who collapsed on the pitch
The Blairgowrie RFC players, including an off-duty officer, jumped into action performing CPR and using a defibrillator on Hamish Bell, 20, having a cardiac arrest
Last updated 25th Jun 2021
A Perthshire police officer has told Forth 1 how he and his teammates sprung into action after fellow player, Hamish Bell, 20, suffered cardiac arrest at Blairgowrie rugby club. Mike Grant – who is a fully qualified first aider thanks to his profession, acted quickly when the University of Aberdeen student collapsed on the pitch while playing a casual touch rugby match on Tuesday 22 June.
Hamish Bell is now recovering in Ninewells Hospital with doctors carrying out tests to work out what happened.
Grant told Forth 1: “I was playing with Hamish and he put his hands on his head and exclaimed ‘what was that‘ before falling to the ground.”
He continued: “We rolled him on his back and checked his breathing and found that he wasn’t breathing.”
“So, at that point we just immediately went into the process of CPR – chest compressions and rescue breaths.”
Grant was joined by his fellow officer Phil Maxwell, who assisted in performing compressions until paramedics could get on the scene.
It was at this point a defibrillator was brought to Bell’s aid by another player.
One shock was delivered, and CPR continued
“Eventually, he finally made efforts to breathe on his own, and thankfully he began to regain consciousness – began to give us signs that he was responding to our voices and responding to our touch, which was a massive moment of relief for everyone,” said Grant.
According to Mike, it was a team effort: “The Rugby Club really showed itself in a good light. Everyone did exactly what they were meant to do”
Earlier this month Danish footballer Christian Eriksen also collapsed on a pitch during a Euro 2020 fixture.
Both men were saved by CPR and the use of a defibrilater.
Grant said: “My advice to anyone is to get yourself on a first-aid course.”
“Everything we did for Hamish is part of basic first-aid.
“If you get the opportunity to go on a first aid course, grab it with both hands - It will teach you skills that you will retain for life.”
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