Cambridge United fan backs CPR campaign from hospital bed

A football fan who received lifesaving treatment when he had a heart attack at his home ground has backed a month-long initiative to teach people CPR.

David Ince, 67, from Haverhill in Suffolk, fell seriously ill during a match between Cambridge United and Rotherham United last week.

Play stopped while a steward administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the season ticket holder was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where he continues to receive treatment.

"I owe my life to CPR and those incredible people who are trained to deliver it in such a fast, calm and professional way, said Mr Ince.

"I think the Restart a Heart campaign is an amazing initiative and greatly increases the chances of survival."

The semi-retired sales assistant, who has been a season ticket holder for 50 years, was attending Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium on 1 October when he became ill.

After steward Paul Harrison, an Addenbrooke's hospital porter, administered CPR, paramedics gave him further treatment.

It was the second time Mr Ince had suffered a heart attack, having collapsed at Haverhill FC seven years ago.

More than 30,000 people have a cardiac arrest every year, according to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Its resuscitation officer, Sian Leader, said: "Survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are currently less than 10%."

The trust is leading the Restart a Heart campaign, along with Magpas Air Ambulance, the East of England Ambulance Service Trust, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Anglian Air Ambulance and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Sara Almeida, resuscitation officer at Royal Papworth, said: "Knowing and being confident with CPR allows you to begin the chain of survival - increasing someone's chances of making it to hospital for treatment for the care they need."

The campaign starts on Wednesday in Cambridge and the free sessions focus on chest compressions, use of automated external defibrillators, the management of choking and the use of a technique called "the lateral position".

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