Cricketers save young batsman

Two Bexhill cricketers helped save the life of a young batsman when he collapsed at the Polegrove and stopped breathing.

17 year old David Tungate was making his 1st X1 debut for Lewes Priory when he was hit in the chest by a ball on Saturday afternoon just after 3pm.

He seemed “winded” at first according to team coach Hamish Russell but a few minutes later was obviously in deep trouble.

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As emergency services were called Hamish realised David’s heart had stopped.

He told the Observer: “He was completely unresponsive and had no pulse. I thought this is as real as it’s ever going to get.”

Hamish, from Cantelupe Road, was a trained first aider who knew exactly what to do.

“There was that moment when I thought - do I really have to do this? In that split second. But before you know it, you are putting him on his back ready to do CPR, and after about two minutes I managed to get him breathing again.

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“I have never done this before – it was my first time. As a first aider you’d expect broken bones or something like that, but the chances of coming across someone who has stopped breathing, especially in recreational cricket, are pretty slim.”

Hamish was encouraged by gasps from David and faint signs of response and kept on with the CPR while becoming exhausted himself.

“I was so tired, and remember looking towards the gate to see where the ambulance was.

“Then I saw Jamie’s face and he said – do you want me to take over for a bit?

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“I never was so pleased to see someone. It was unbelieveable. I’ve never been so grateful – to see Jamie and have someone else there to help. It was fantastic.”

19 year old Jamie, from Harbour Way in St Leonards, had first aid training as a lifeguard in Summerfields swimming pool and was “quite confident”.

He said: “I thought it would be probably be best for me to help. When I went over it all came back to me what I had to do. But it was quite tiring. When the ambulance arrived I felt relieved that someone more qualified could come and help him.

“I am happy that he is alright now.”

Team member Steve Phillimore said: “They did remarkably well. They should be proud of what they have done – everyone else is really proud of them. It was incredibly emotional. I have played cricket for 33 years and never had a moment like that.

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“We all went into the dressing room while the ambulance was there not knowing whether he would live or die. The atmosphere in the dressing room? I’ve never known anything like it. There was complete silence.”

Clinical operations manager for South East Coast Ambulance Services Nigel Hammond credited the two men for their actions which were “absolutely crucial” to survival as paramedics were then able to successfully resuscitate and stabilise the patient prior to the air ambulance arriving.

David was then taken to the specialist cardiac unit at William Harvey hospital in Ashford.

Lewes Priory senior player Michael Murray said the youngster had no recollection of what happened but was making a good recovery.

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He paid tribute to Hamish and Jamie and said: “Without their prompt action I dread to think what the outcome would have been.”

Skipper Chris Topp commented: “We are massively proud of what they have done. I’m no expert but looking at it they probably saved his life.”

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