Quick-thinking heroics from Wigan's manager and team doctor saved the life of striker Charlie Wyke.
The 28-year-old collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a training session on Monday, November 22.
Luckily, team manager Leam Richardson quickly began CPR, with club doctor Dr Jonathan Tobin then taking over.
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In a statement released by Wigan Athletic today Wyke, who is now out of hospital, said the two men who worked to resuscitate him before ambulance crews arrived saved his life.
He explained that the players and staff had received timely CPR training just a few weeks before, which helped them spot the signs immediately.
The former Sunderland player was then rushed to Wigan Infirmary and then Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where he was fitted with a implantable defibrillator to provide protection as he recovers.
Wyke says he hopes to start light training by next week, with a view to playing first team football again next year.
In a statement, he thanked club staff and doctors who helped to save him, including Liverpool Hospital's Dr Rob Cooper and said he wanted to tell his story in the hope of saving other people's lives.
“I feel it’s important to tell my story to our supporters and to the wider public, because my life has been saved by the actions of the gaffer [Richardson] and the club doctor Jonathan Tobin, and my story may well save another life," Wyke said.
“As you are aware, I collapsed during training on Monday. I suffered a cardiac arrest and required CPR, and I am told it was only the quick response of the gaffer to initiate the resuscitation process and then the continuation from the Doc that saved my life. I will be forever grateful that due to their actions – and those of my teammates and other staff - I am here to talk to about the experience.
“Thankfully, just a few weeks ago, the training ground staff had received CPR training, which has clearly proven to be life-saving with the way in which the gaffer reacted to my collapse and initiated the CPR on the training pitch. I think that sends out a message of just how important it is that coaches and staff have that training.
“The support from my teammates over the last few days has been incredible; the gesture to celebrate with my shirt at Plymouth just goes to show what a top group of lads we have here at Wigan. I’ve heard the fans singing my name when I’ve been watching the games from hospital too, which has been amazing to hear – I’m really thankful for that support.
“I have received thousands of messages from supporters of all of the Clubs I have played for, the wider football community and beyond, and the well-wishes have meant the world to me and my family. It was a real boost for me to see the photo of my former teammates at Sunderland wishing me well - a class touch from a great set of lads.
“I’m looking forward to going home to my son, partner and friends and family for the next few days."
Latics chief executive Mal Brannigan added his own thanks to the people who saved Wyke.
“I’d echo Charlie’s sentiments that we are incredibly grateful to the quick thinking and reaction of Leam and the Doc [Dr Tobin], as well as the staff and players at the training ground last Monday," he said.
“Clearly it was a traumatic experience for those that witnessed Charlie’s collapse and everyone has rallied together to support one another in the days that have followed.
“As I said last week, the absolute priority for everyone associated with Wigan Athletic is Charlie’s health and wellbeing and we’ll continue to provide support to Charlie and his family.
“We’re looking forward to Charlie’s return to Christopher Park next week; as Leam mentioned at the weekend, Charlie isn’t just an excellent footballer but a really good person that is so popular amongst his teammates and the staff here.
“The chairman [Talal Al-Hammad] and I have been able to speak to Charlie on the phone, he’s been watching every minute of our games from hospital and I know he is eager to watch the lads at the DW next week.
“On behalf of everyone at Wigan Athletic, I would like to express our gratitude to the football family for the well wishes we have received on Charlie’s behalf.”
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