Jason...you're a good sport and a lifesaver (From Warrington Guardian)

Jason...you're a good sport and a lifesaver

LIFESAVERS do not get more modest than Jason Flinders.

The manager and trainer of Woolston Rovers under 13s and under eights football teams was doing warm up exercises with his team before an away game at Penlake under 13s in St Helens, when he was alerted to an emergency on another pitch.

The dad-of-one ran over to find a man had collapsed after suffering a heart attack.

Jason, 35, leapt into action and, along with Penlake coach Peter Kattley, took it in turns to administer cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Five times Jason and Peter got the man breathing again until paramedics arrived 20 minutes later.

And doctors say that due to the severity of the attack, had Jason and Peter not acted as fast as they had, the man would not have survived.

Jason, from Whitchurch Close, Padgate, said: "It was a pretty terrifying experience.

"As part of my FA training I did a first aid course so I knew what to do and just instinctively ran over when I realised what was going on.

"When you're learning first aid you never imagine that you might have to put it into practice for real. Peter was the dominant figure in the actions but I assisted with the breathing and supporting the airways.

"We kept bringing him round and then he would take a couple of breaths for himself before stopping again.

"We just kept on bringing him back until the paramedics came.

"I didn't sleep that night because I thought the man was a goner but he's now out of hospital and recovering at home.

"He's okay and has no memory of what happened and the time he spent in intensive care."

He adds: "It's not something I'd like to have to go through again, but I certainly would.

"Something just kicks in when you've had the training - it becomes an instinct."

l The founder member of Woolston Rovers Junior Football Club, Jason has been nominated to receive the Unsung Hero award at tomorrow night's Sports Personality of the Year Awards for his work managing and developing the club.

sharker@guardiangrp.co.uk