The question of having lifesaving defibrillators in all football grounds reared its head again in the County recently when Chatham Town’s home game with Hastings United was abandoned because of a serious medical emergency in the crowd.
A Hastings supporter (later named as Mr Chris Taylor) was taken unwell, and thanks to the quick action of the Chats staff, he received help and support until paramedics and the Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance arrived and landed in the centre circle to take the patient swiftly to hospital.
The swift action of the professionals has left a mark on everyone at the Bauvill and it has been decided this week, that, at the rearranged game on Tuesday March 4th, admission will be free, with all spectators asked for a donation to the charity that covers our county and two other – the Kent, Sussex & Surrey Air Ambulance.
KSN caught up with Chats boss and Chairman Kevin Hake to talk about the events of that day as well as the gratitude that everyone at the Clubs has to the wonderful paramedics who looked after Mr Taylor.
“It was horrible for everyone,” Hake told us. “You put all the procedures in place and hope that you never have to use them, but I am so proud of how our team conducted themselves on the day and whilst it wasn’t the nicest exercise to go through, we did everything we could and the guy left us in the helicopter in the best condition he could be and that’s full credit to all the ground staff and the medical team here and the paramedics who came to treat him.”
“The paramedics were here within 15 minutes and they made the call for the Air Ambulance who were here quite a while whilst they stabilised the patient to move him. The last we were told was that he was in an induced coma which obviously is very sad.”
“We decided to give all the gate money that’s handed over at the rearranged game to the charity, it is the least that we could do. We always want to raise money for charities and you only know charities like the Air Ambulance when you see their work up close – they don’t get much funding and we want to do as much as we can to help them.”
“When they were called, they responded magnificently and were here in our hour of need, and if we can give a little bit back to them as a thank-you, then it’s the least we can do.”
“They were absolutely outstanding on the day in question. There were ten people here effectively from the NHS – it’s absolutely fantastic and you really don’t realise how great the services are until unfortunately you see them first hand – what a fantastic team they are and hopefully we can get some members of staff or some representatives on the night to show our thanks to them on the night.”
Whilst praising the professionals, the Chats chairman also had praise for his own Club’s staff who responded so quickly; “They were brilliant! We put them through the appropriate training and make sure that everyone has their own frequency on the radio so that we can get to people as quickly as we can.”
“We have defibrillators on site so we take the safety and security of everyone – supporters and staff – very highly and we want everyone who comes to the Bauvill to enjoy the game, but are safe as well.”
“The supporters reacted fantastically too and we just hope that the gentleman recovers as I have been told he is a very avid supporter – no-one wants to come to a game and return in that manner!”
KSN footnote – sadly it has been announced since our interview with Kevin Hake that Mr. Taylor has passed away – on behalf of the Kent footballing family we send our condolences and very best wishes to his family at this very difficult time…
The question of whether every ground should have a defibrillator has of course again been raised and it’s been shown that a patient’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are improved if one is used in good time.