Teenage footballer's life saved by defibrullator

Mum says, “There should be one at every sports ground, in every school and on every street corner.”

By James Evans

A DEFIBRILLATOR was used to save the life of a 14-year-old footballer in Oughtibridge at the weekend – and his parents say the devices “should be on every street corner.”

SAVED: Daniel Lowe, 14, is recovering from his heart attack.

Daniel Lowe, who represents Stocksbridge Park Steels’ Under-15 Yellow, was involved in the game against Maltby Main at Forge Lane, Oughtibridge, when he collapsed and suffered a heart attack.

The referee then called for the defibrillator, which was installed last year and donated by the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation, and coach Nick Dodsworth and two nurses from Maltby shocked him to try to get his heart beating and back to the normal rhythm.

He was down for several minutes and once the ambulance arrived, the coach and two nurses continued to help and managed to get him stable enough to take to the hospital.

The youngster is now recovering and his parents have hailed the quick thinking actions of those who came to his aid.

Daniel’s mother, Lynsey Lowe, said in a letter to the club:

My husband and I want to thank everyone who was at the match on Sunday."

Everyone contributed in saving my son’s life, from the referee who knew a defibrillator existed, the parents who ran speedily to bring it and the parents who lined the route for the ambulance to gain access."

Plus, of course, the nurses and our coach Nick that started giving him CPR at the scene, bringing him back to life."

Their quick thinking not only saved his life but brought him back to us without any mental deficits."

He is recovering amazingly and is spending time in hospital at the Leeds General Infirmary, where they are investigating what caused his cardiac arrest."

This life saving piece of equipment is priceless. If we have learnt from the tragic event please let it be that these defibrillators are at every sports ground, in every school and on every street corner.”

A spokesperson for Stocksbridge Park Steels told Look Local:

From all of us at Stocksbridge Park Steels Football Club, we want to wish Daniel a speedy recovery and that we are going to ensure safety is a priority for everyone.”

Park Steels junior chairman and referee at the match, Ian Cavanagh, told Look Local:

I can’t praise highly enough the conduct and efforts from both sets of players, parents, coaches and the paramedic team."

I witnessed some true heroes in action on Sunday and I’m very proud and honoured to be part of Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C.”

League funding is available to help with the cost of defibrillators, more details are available at https://junleague.com/news. php?newsid=2675.