Hero Newcastle fan saves a second supporter's life during football match
Dr Tom Prichard, who saved the life of a fan during an NUFC game last year, was able to give urgent medical attention to a fan in Middlesbrough last night
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
A football club doctor is being hailed a hero, after helping save a second fan’s life at a match.
Earlier this season - Dr Tom Prichard raced to save a fan's life at Newcastle United's St James' Park, where he is a season ticket holder.
Then last night, at Middlesbrough's away game against Blackburn Rovers, Dr Prichard - who's the Boro team doctor, as well as an A and E consultant - raced to assist a Blackburn fan who needed urgent medical attention.
Play was stopped for nine minutes.
Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the fan is stable in hospital.
The club said: "Rovers wish to pay a special thanks to Middlesbrough's medical department, who were first on the scene and who were able to restart the gentleman's breathing, as well as Rovers' medical staff and the crowd doctor and his team for their swift response.
"After regaining consciousness, the supporter was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he is alert and stable.
"Our thoughts remain with him and his family this evening, and we hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery."
Fans on social media praised Boro manager Chris Wilder for alerting the referee to the emergency, as well as thanking the away side's medics for their speedy intervention.
It was said they jumped over advertising hoardings to get to the stricken fan.
A Boro spokesman said: "We wish the gentleman the very best and were humbled to help."
Physios Chris Moseley and Adam Reed joined Dr Prichard in the stands to attend to the supporter.
A North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "We're proud to see Tom Prichard demonstrating the best values of the NHS once again.
"We wish the supporter well and hope they fully recover soon."
The frightening scenes echoed those at Newcastle United's game against Spurs in October, when play stopped for 20 minutes.
Dr Prichard was among the medics who performed CPR and used a defibrillator before paramedics arrived to take 80-year-old Alan George Smith to hospital.