Horror as footballer suffers cardiac arrest in Boston and defibrillator code doesn't work

A local football referee is raising money to supply clubs with mobile defibrillators after a terrifying incident during one of his games. David Bent, 55, a walking football referee from Boston, was officiating a match at Haven High Academy on Thursday, November 7 when a player known as Tubs suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.

Tubs' teammates and players from Boston Town FC, who happened to be training nearby, rushed to his aid and administered CPR. David says they couldn't access the defibrillator, so they had to break it open.

Speaking about the incident, David said: "We'd just kicked off for the second half and he just fell to the floor behind me. Somebody shouted to stop the game and it just escalated from there.

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"It's a good job that Boston Town were there training. The lads had to rip the defibrillator door off to get it to him. Thank god they did because apparently it saved his life."

Tubs, 76, was eventually resuscitated and is now under the care of staff at Lincoln County Hospital.

David praised Boston Town FC player Liam Adams in particular for his efforts in saving Tubs. Liam, 26, said: "We were training and all of a sudden some people ran over and asked if anyone was first aid trained, so I said I am.

"I ran over and checked to see if he was breathing. Nobody could feel a pulse. I jumped straight into CPR while someone else was giving breaths. Eventually, the defib came and we just carried on that cycle until the fire service and paramedics arrived.

"To be able to bring him back around and save his life just makes you feel proud. It's quite overwhelming and hard to put into words."

Liam was first aid trained in his previous job at a leisure centre. He believes it is important that everyone has the knowledge of what to do in a situation like this.

David added: "I've been refereeing for 35 years and I never thought something like this would happen to me. It scared me. It made it worse that I've known [Tubs] for years. And that's why I want to try and raise some money. If I can just help other people, give a couple of defibs away and find out where we can get some training."

David has raised more than £2,300 so far on his GoFundMe page and is also raising cash through quiz nights and other events. He estimates that a decent mobile defibrillator would cost around £1,000 each.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire FA said: "Firstly, Lincolnshire FA would like to commend those present during the medical emergency who acted quickly and administered CPR, including the use of a defib, which ultimately proved to be lifesaving. We have recently completed a 2-year partnership with the British Heart Foundation, in which we and stakeholders across grassroots football in Lincolnshire raised £10,000 to go towards lifesaving research and support.

"Incidents like this show the importance of raising awareness around learning CPR and how to use a defib, which we recently supported by promoting the BHF’s RevivR app – in which everyone can learn CPR in just 15 minutes. Defibs can increase the survival rate of a out-of-hospital cardiac arrests by up to 70 per cent, and over recent years we’ve supported the funding towards defibs with charities such as the Adam Gibbons Foundation and MP99 which has delivered portable defibs to a number of clubs across the county.

"We hugely commend David’s efforts in raising money for portable defibs, and recognise the difference a defib can make."