Life-saving West Brom stewards are among heroes to be honoured
West Bromwich Albion stewards who saved a fan after he suffered a cardiac arrest are among the Black Country heroes to be honoured at an awards ceremony.
Assistant chief steward Phil Clarke and senior licensed steward Mark Haywood sprang into action to revive pensioner Des Humphries shortly before the derby against Aston Villa at The Hawthorns in April.
The 82-year-old from Stourbridge had to undergo a triple heart bypass during an eight-week stay in Sandwell and Wolverhampton hospitals.
But he was able to return to The Hawthorns as a Boardroom guest of Chairman Jeremy Peace to watch his beloved Baggies beat QPR 3-2 in October.
Mr Humphries was on hand to present the pair with certificates of commendation at the West Midlands Ambulance Service Long Service & Excellence Awards in Droitwich on Thursday.
"I am incredibly lucky to be here," said Mr Humphries. "If it had not been for the prompt reaction to my situation things might have been very different."
Other people from the Black Country recognised included Brierley Hill ambulance officer Tracey Morrell, for her efforts during the festive season, and Walsall police officers Paul Bennett and Craig Spencer, for CPR they gave a patient.
Wombourne nurse Liz Rowbotham was praised after she helped save the life of a five-week old baby that had stopped breathing.
There was also three commendations for Midlands Air Ambulance paramedics Fay Pollock and Ian Walley and doctor Nick Crombie, based in Staffordshire.
The trio helped seven-year-old Ricky-Lee Poulton, who was seriously injured outside his home in Halesowen last August.
Ambulance staff were quickly on the scene and treated Ricky-Lee for his injuries before he was taken to hospital. The youngster is now well on the way to recovery and back at school.
West Midlands Ambulance Service chairman Sir Graham Meldrum said: "Today we will hear and we have heard the justification of the pride that we should all take in West Midlands Ambulance Service and all the people that serve it and have served it so well in so many different ways over so many years. I am certainly justifiably proud to be Chairman of such an excellent organisation."
Chief Executive Anthony Marsh said: "A really big thank you to all of our staff, volunteers and other colleagues who have worked with the ambulance service on a very regular basis to do the best we can for the public and patients across the entire West Midlands."