A heroic North East doctor was on hand once again to save the life of another collapsed football fan - just months after his actions at a Newcastle United game saw him applauded by the nation.
Dr Tom Prichard who works in the Accident and Emergency department at North Tees Hospital in Stockton, as well as with Middlesbrough Football Club, was serenaded as a 'hero' by the Gallowgate End after stepping in to help save the fan who collapsed during Newcastle v Spurs back in October 2021.
And he was with the Boro first team on Monday evening at Blackburn Rovers where he once again sprang into action during a medical emergency in the crowd - Teesside Live reports.
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After a Blackburn Rovers fan collapsed just behind the Boro dugout, Dr Prichard and Boro's head physio Chris Moseley were the first medical assistants on the scene, and were able to restart the elderly fan's breathing, and ultimately save his life.
A statement on the Blackburn club website said: "Blackburn Rovers are pleased to report that the elderly gentleman who required urgent medical attention during tonight’s game is now in a stable condition in hospital.
"The Rovers supporter, who was situated in the lower tier of the Jack Walker Stand, took ill midway through the second half of the 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
"Rovers wish to pay a special thanks to Middlesbrough’s medical department, who were first on the scene and who were able to restart the gentleman’s breathing, as well as Rovers’ medical staff and the crowd doctor and his team for their swift response.
"After regaining consciousness, the supporter was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he is alert and stable.
"Our thoughts remain with him and his family this evening, and we hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery."
It's the second time in a matter of months that Dr Prichard has helped save a supporter's life at a football match.
Back in October, the Boro club doctor was attending a Newcastle United game at St James' Park when a fan went into cardiac arrest but was saved by the fast response of Dr Prichard and other medics at the game.
Boro's game at Blackburn was halted for around 12 minutes while staff reacted to the medical incident, with manager Chris Wilder also playing a big role in alerting the match officials before the action was ultimately stopped.
The supporter had regained consciousness before leaving the stadium and was taken to hospital where he was said to be in a stable condition.
