A MASSIVE THANK YOU to the staff and members who helped save a life on Tuesday
On Tuesday 22nd November we had an incident on the course that everyone who works in this industry hopes will never happen. One of our members had a massive heart attack on the golf course.
Steve Fletcher, a well known member of the senior section suffered a cardiac arrest on the 6th hole at around 11:10am, and our head greenkeeper Mark Lamplough was just yards away when it happened. Being First Aid trained Mark knew that he needed to act instantly and ran over to Steve who was on the floor. Mark immediately rang Alan to bring the defibrillator form the clubhouse and call 999, and releasing that Steve had no pulse, began CPR. Fellow senior golfer and ex-doctor Steve Lees was able to help with the initial CPR, and then Mark Carrick stepped in to give rescue breaths and give Steve a rest, all while our Head Greenkeeper Mark continued with chest compressions.
Alan got to the scene as soon as possible and put the defibrillator on Steve and let the machine do it’s job, while at the same time using the “What Three Words” app to give the emergency services the exact location. After two shocks Steve’s heart restarted and within minutes the paramedics arrived to get him into the Ambulance and continue keeping him alive.
This was a very stressful and shocking ordeal for all that were involved, and those who were witnessed the incident. Steve was receiving CPR for around 30 minutes before paramedics arrived.
Steve is now in hospital and after spending a day in ICU, is now on a ward recovering with the care of the NHS team at Castle Hill.
The team at Burstwick are First Aid trained, and by chance this happened just one week after we had our 3 year refresher training.
Alan and the management would like to thank everyone who helped, Mark Lamplough for his quick and decisive action, Steve Lees and Mark Carrick for their brave assistance with rescue breaths, and everyone who helped give information or just helped in anyway. We are immensely proud that despite losing Steve for a short while we were able to bring him back and hopefully he will make a full recovery.
As we think on about everything that happened, there were a number of things that came together to help save Steve:
Important First Aid Training that our staff have
Quick and decisive thinking of Mark Lamplough and others as soon as it happened - under immense pressure
Access to a defibrillator which kick started Steve’s heart - these machines are worth their weight in gold!!
What Three Words app for the precise location - we urge EVERYONE to download this onto their smart phones
The paramedics and staff at Hull Royal and Castle Hill
We would like to wish Steve the best in recovery and are hopeful to see him on the golf course again soon. Thanks again to everyone involved - you all helped save a life.