Jump directly to the content
STAYIN' ALIVE

Heart attack victim in pub saved by hero singing Bee Gees hit as he did CPR after remembering famous ad

Martin Wintersgill saved the man's life because he remembered ad where Vinnie Jones taught viewers the life saving technique

PUB regular Martin Wintersgill saved a pensioner's life after performing CPR - while singing BeeGees hit Stayin' Alive.

Hero Martin, 52, was enjoying a pint at his local when he heard calls for help and leapt into action.

 Micky McDonaldwith Martin Wintersgill who saved his life outside this pub by performing CPR to the tune of staying alive
5
Micky McDonaldwith Martin Wintersgill who saved his life outside this pub by performing CPR to the tune of staying alive

He ran outside and helped stricken 69-year-old Micky McDonald from a car before battling to restart his heart.

Poultry farmer Martin, 52, instantly recalled a telly ad which advised people to sing the 1977 hit Stayin' Alive to get the right rhythm to perform CPR.

The British Heart Foundation advert starred footie hardman turned Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones and was first screened in 2011 to raise awareness.

 Martin remembered how to perform CPR thanks to an ad featuring the 1977 hit Stayin' Alive and Vinnie Jones
5
Martin remembered how to perform CPR thanks to an ad featuring the 1977 hit Stayin' Alive and Vinnie JonesCredit: British Heart Foundation

Martin, from Barnsley, South Yorks., said: "I've never had any training.

"I've seen it on the telly and that's about it.

"When I went out to the car I could see Micky was gone in the passenger seat.

"We got him out, laid him on his back and I'd got it stuck in my head that advert about Stayin' Alive.

"I was there about ten minutes. There was somebody else on the phone talking to them on 999 asking "is he breathing" and it just went on.

 The ad shows the former Welsh football star running through the steps to perform CPR
5
The ad shows the former Welsh football star running through the steps to perform CPRCredit: British Heart Foundation

"Then the paramedics arrived and I said "is that me done?" and they said "no, carry on" and I could feel his ribs snapping.

"I just kept going and going."

Martin ended up breaking four of Micky's ribs - but he has been more than forgiven by his new pal who has fully recovered.

Modest Martin insisted: "It really wasn't just me. There were others who helped get him out of the car, talking on the phone with the emergency services, staff from the pub, regulars. It was a team effort."

 Martin insisted that it was the memorable ad that helped him save a life saying he'd never been taught CPR
5
Martin insisted that it was the memorable ad that helped him save a life saying he'd never been taught CPRCredit: British Heart Foundation

Micky, who lives near the Miner's Rest pub, said: "I was out cold, I was dead basically, but it was Martin who did all the work.

"We'd been to the theatre and friends asked if I wanted to call in for a drink before they dropped me off at home.

"I'm so glad I did because if we'd not gone to the pub for that drink I might have collapsed on my doorstep and that would have been it.

 The hard and fast hands only CPR ad is considered one of the British Heart Foundations' greatest successes - saving lives all these years later
5
The hard and fast hands only CPR ad is considered one of the British Heart Foundations' greatest successes - saving lives all these years laterCredit: British Heart Foundation

"Going for a pint saved my life I suppose."

Micky collapsed when an underlying heart problem caused it to stop working before Martin saved the day last November.

He has now had a pacemaker fitted which includes a defibrillator to automatically kick start his heart should it stop again.

In the BHF advert the former Wales defender Vinnie says: "There are times in life when being tough comes in handy.

"Say some geezer collapses in front of you. What do you do?

"First off you call 999. Then no kissing - you only kiss your missus on the lips.

"You push hard and fast here on the sovereign.

"Remember call 999, because hard and fast is staying alive. Hands only CPR.

It's not as hard as it looks."

Topics