Former NI footballer meets ambulance workers who saved his life

Former Northern Ireland star Iain Dowie has thanked the ambulance staff who saved his life following a cardiac arrest.

The ex-footballer (59) fell ill during a spin class in his local gym earlier this year.

He later said he felt very lucky to be alive.

Now, he has had an emotional reunion with the medical team who helped save his life.

“They’re brilliant people,” Mr Dowie told Sky Sports News.

Mr Dowie was with his wife at the exercise class on March 18 when he became ill.

“I had a full cardiac arrest, I think between 3-6 minutes my heart stopped,” he said.

Paramedics were quick to arrive at the scene at Gymworks in Chorley, Lancashire.

“They had a defibrillator in the gym luckily, and then the people from the North West Ambulance Service turned up and from that moment they looked after me brilliantly,” he explained.

Mr Dowie met with the ambulance staff who saved his life last week.

“I woke up with my two boys next to me in the bed and that’s when it sort of gets to you, you could see that they were incredibly emotional and you (the North West Ambulance Service) allowed that, which is something I’ll always be grateful for,” Dowie said.

“I’m not sure any of the time I played football anyone thought I was worth two helicopters and two ambulances.”

Dowie, who won 59 caps for Northern Ireland, added that he was in the right place at the right time when he had the cardiac arrest.

“It’s something that is quite difficult to comprehend because I’d like to think I’m quite well read and I didn’t know nine out of 10 people died (following a) cardiac arrest and they do, so I was very lucky. I could have been on a walk when it happened.”

Since leaving hospital Dowie said he has been recovering well.

“I’m feeling fine, I’ve done a lot of walking, done 350 km in May so just trying to keep myself in good shape.”

Dowie said he is grateful for the care he received from the NHS, adding: “In your darkest hours the NHS is beyond belief.”

The ex-Crystal Palace and Southampton forward encouraged people to educate themselves on the importance of CPR.

“Learn how to do CPR, learn how to use a defibrillator and that will change a lot of people’s lives,” he said.