Praise for fireman who saved football fan's life

The family of a man who went into cardiac arrest at a football match have thanked the off-duty firefighter who helped to save his life.

Stuart Wright, 60, fell ill while he was watching the Hednesford Town v Congleton Town match in Hednesford, Staffordshire, on 3 May.

His son Jake Wright called for help while his brother phoned an ambulance before Ade Wilkes, who was also watching the game, appeared and told Jake he knew what to do.

He began to carry out CPR, taking turns with an off-duty paramedic, and a defibrillator was used four times before an ambulance arrived.

Stuart, from Cannock, was taken to hospital where he has been recovering after being diagnosed with a leak in one of his heart valves.

Jake, who lives in Rugeley, said he knew something was wrong when he saw his father leaning against a barrier.

He added: "I thought he was just celebrating and that any minute he'd lift up his arms but he didn't, and when I got closer to him I realised he was out of it."

Jake said Mr Wilkes "came out of nowhere" and believed the worst could have happened if he had not been there to help.

Stuart's wife Larraine Wright described Mr Wilkes as an "outstanding gentleman".

"If it wasn't for Ade's quick actions and professionalism that day, it would have been a very different outcome, he saved Stuart's life," she added.

Mr Wilkes, an on-call firefighter based at Cannock Fire Station, has since received a special award at the school where he works as a pastoral manager.

He said it was a "completely different" experience for him but that he did what he knew he had to do.

"I'm chuffed to bits to know Stuart survived and is going to be OK," he said.

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