'Quick-thinking leisure staff gave me second chance at life'

1 day ago

Ewan GawneNorth West

News image — Hing Fai Ko returned to the leisure centre to thank all the staff who helped save him

Active Tameside A tall young man in a blue hoodie holds two boxes of chocolates in one hand with the other outstretched over the shoulder of a smaller man wearing a black cap and grey hoodie. They are standing in a gym communal area while smiling for a photograph. — Hing Fai Ko returned to the leisure centre to thank all the staff who helped save him

A man who was given CPR by leisure centre staff after having a cardiac arrest and collapsing in the changing rooms has thanked those who saved him for giving him a "second chance" to enjoy life.

Staff at Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton had to force their way into a locked cubicle to use a defibrillator on Hing Fai Ko on 10 April before paramedics arrived.

The 67-year-old keen swimmer, who has since recovered after surgery, said their "quick actions made a difference".

He joined staff from Tameside Wellness Centre in the studio live on BBC Radio Manchester earlier and told them "thank you so much for saving my life".

Centre manager Anthony Worthington said he received a call that someone had fallen in the changing room inside a locked cubicle.

He said he "didn't know what was going on" but staff knew they had to act as quickly as they could after finding Hing Fai on the floor and unresponsive.

Active Tameside A handwritten card held open — Hing Fai went back to the centre to hand over gifts and a card to thank staff

"As soon as we opened that door we could see 'there's a serious problem here' and training just kicked in," he said.

Lifeguards at the centre in Tameside, Greater Manchster, train every month to use techniques like CPR and other first aid.

Harry Smith came up with a defibrillator while Worthington was performing CPR, and put the pads on.

Smith said it was "scary at first" but he was focused because of the training he had received.

'Leisure staff gave me second chance at life'

Lisa, Hing Fai's daughter said she was shopping when she was told Hing Fai had suffered a cardiac arrested and was "so shocked".

"We are really grateful they helped to save my father's live," she said.

Hing Fai said he was feeling better after recovering from the "scary" experience which he had no memory of.

He told staff: "I would not be here without you, thank your for giving me a second chance.

"Because of you I can stay with my family, I can continue my life with my wife and daughter, and my grandchild, and enjoy family time.

"I will always remember your kindness and help."

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