Former Claret Phil helps save life of OAP

The pensioner suffered a heart attack during a Nelson FC practice last Thursday.

Sam O’Leary (78) was watching his grandson Jack and the team train when he collapsed.

Nelson defender Kevin Brown and manager Phil Eastwood ran to the rescue and Kevin performed CPR on Mr O’Leary until paramedics arrived.

Mr O’Leary had travelled across to Nelson from Liverpool with his son Kevin (53) and grandson Jack (17) who plays for Nelson. He’s now recovering in hospital and the family have thanked the quick-thinking duo for saving Mr O’Leary’s life.

Kevin O’Leary said: “We were laughing and then Jack hit a pass and he said ‘that’s a good ball’.

“He then just slumped into me and I thought ‘what are you doing?’ I thought he had tripped over but then I saw his eyes were rolling and he had been sick. I thought he was having a fit.

“I shouted and Kevin Brown and Phil Eastwood ran over and Kevin started performing chest compressions and Phil phoned for an ambulance.

“They basically saved my dad’s life. We owe them a lot. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. There are no words and no amount of money to say how grateful we are.

Phil said: “We just kicked into action. I didn’t think about it at the time.