Footage shows moment man's life was saved at the Amex in Brighton

Bob Whetton suffered a cardiac arrest outside the stadium in Brighton as he made his way to the Brighton vs Nottingham Forest match on October 18.

First aiders rushed to give the 73-year-old, who is a lifelong Nottingham Forest fan, CPR and used a defibrillator to restart his heart after he collapsed to the ground and stopped breathing.  

Within minutes Bob was conscious again and asking what the score was before being taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital where he made a strong recovery. 

Professor Rob Galloway, left, and Albion's head of safety and security Ade Morris, right, visited Bob in hospital (Image: Brighton and Hove Albion)

Footage shows the quick intervention from club stewards and medical volunteers from St John Ambulance.

Bob has given his permission for the footage to be shared in a bid to encourage more people to learn first aid

Yesterday at half-time in the match against Grimsby Town, lifesaving trauma first aid kit equipment was presented on behalf of Bob, from Grimoldby, Lincolnshire, to St John Ambulance volunteers by St John cadet Myles Donald, who played a key part in saving his life, despite being only 14 at the time.  

While St John advanced first aiders Declan Dexter, 28, and Peter Bennett, 66, gave chest compressions and used the defibrillator, Myles operated the radio.

L to R Rob, Trevor, Peter, Declan, Myles, Sally, Luke (Image: Paul Hazlewood)

He made an essential priority call to alert others, including the club medical team’s doctor and kept base control informed of Bob’s progress.  

Former public sector finance director Bob, who is also campaigning for more first aid equipment at local football clubs, said: “Expressing my gratitude to the people who saved my life is one of the hardest things I have had to do, because how do you thank people for that?  

“I’m delighted for Myles to be representing me as he is such a brilliant example of the many young people who serve their communities. 

Bob Whetton with his wife Elaine (Image: The Whettons)

“My wife and I wanted to do something to recognise these volunteers and the work of St John. This is our modest way of doing that and raising awareness of the importance of first aid training and equipment.”  

The donated trauma kits include military-grade wound dressings, tourniquets and other vital components and will be used by St John Ambulance units in Sussex.