Newcastle vs Aston Villa delayed after another medical emergency in the stands at St James’ Park
NEWCASTLE’S clash against Aston Villa was temporarily halted following a medical emergency in the stands.
Play was stopped late in the second half after referee Craig Pawson was alerted to the situation.
Magpies gaffer Eddie Howe and Villans manager Steven Gerrard were seen pointing towards the fan in an attempt to stop the match.
Commenting on the incident, tweeted: “Play has been halted due to an incident in the Gallowgate Stand.”
Pawson suspended play in the 74th minute to allow the supporter to receive attention.
He then resumed the match two minutes later, with Newcastle holding on to win 1-0 to move four points clear of the relegation zone.
The fan’s condition currently remains known.
It’s not the first time this season that there has been a medical emergency at St James’ Park.
During October’s 3-2 defeat against Tottenham, play was suspended in the first half after an elderly gentleman suffered a cardiac arrest in the stands.
A doctor sitting 30 rows away in the Gallowgate End rushed to his aid where he performed CPR before Newcastle club doctor Paul Catterson joined in the effort to resuscitate the supporter.
Dr Tom Pritchard was then given a standing ovation upon returning to his seat.
The The junior doctor from University Hospital of North Tees then appeared on BBC Breakfast where he stated saving the man was ‘one of the best moments of my life’.
He said: “It’s something you see at work fairly often, but I haven’t really had this outside of the hospital before.
“There was an elderly gentleman laid out on the seats in cardiac arrest, and CPR ongoing.
“Luckily, St Johns were fairly quick, got the pads on quickly. Took over CPR.
“Another friend, Matty, who sits next to me came over as well, and we gave the guy a shock through the defibrillator.
HERO DOCTOR
“He was quite fortunate, as well, as very quickly an intensive care doctor arrived, a cardiologist arrived, and we were able to bring him back again.”
Before adding: “I had no idea what was going on behind me. I just went into overdrive, and focused on the matter on hand.
“When I got back to my seat, I had no idea the match had been stopped. I just focused on what was happening.
“This wasn’t just me. I had a friend helping out, and the other two doctors. St John’s were brilliant, the club doctor came over to lend a hand.
“I would say when I was walking back to my seat and 10,000 fans from the Gallowgate were chanting hero at me, that was one of the best moments of my life.”
And three months later, he was part of the Middlesbrough medical team that came to the rescue of someone in the home end at Blackburn.
Just days later, THREE games were suspended at the same time after there were medical emergencies at Fulham, Oldham and Wycombe.
⚽ Read our Transfer News Live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals