Dave Humphries suffered a heart attack at his local Betfred in Weoley Castle
David Humphries with the Betfred staff who saved him after he was struck with a severe heart attack at his local bookies(Image: Jon Parker Lee)
A Birmingham man who momentarily ‘died’ says he left his local bookies with the biggest win of all – his life – thanks to quick-thinking staff.
Dave Humphries collapsed when he suffered a heart attack at his local Betfred in Weoley Castle.
It happened when the 62-year-old hospital domestic was placing his regular 49s numbers and Irish Lotto bets.
READ MORE: Wolverhampton biker rushed to hospital after rush hour crash on Penn Road
Thankfully Betfred staff Wendy Richards and Teresa Hodges, both 64, acted quickly to save the Selly Oak bachelor.
Wendy, who originally thought Dave was bending over to pick up something he’d dropped, placed him in the recovery position.
Teresa rang 999 and started shouting instructions from the ambulance operator as Wendy administered CPR.
Wendy said: “He was making horrible gurgling noises as if he was having a fit.
“I don’t really know how I managed to do CPR…maybe from some TV programme?Anyway, I didn’t think about it, I just kept on pumping with Teresa telling me what to do.”
Betfred customers Stephen Riddell and Sofiene Amara also helped stricken Dave as they all waited for an ambulance to arrive.
Stephen also gave CPR while Sofiene located a defibrillator 500 yards away.
Dave was eventually rushed to the coronary care unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he works.
He has since made a full recovery following an operation.
Wendy, Teresa, Stephen and Sofiene will all be honoured by the Royal Humane Society later this month.
Dave, who has worked for the NHS for 11 years, said: “If it wasn’t for Wendy and Teresa I wouldn’t be here…simple as that.
“I’ve had my ups and downs at Betfred over the years, winning and losing like all customers, but this was my biggest win and I didn’t even put a bet on.
“When I got to the hospital tests showed one artery was completely blocked and the other 99 per cent blocked. I collapsed again within 24 hours in the hospital unit and they said they had better get on with an operation.”
Dave, now back in work, says he’s changed his lifestyle with a self-imposed ban on pork pie, pizzas and chips.
“I had not been ill or anything and had been laughing and joking with Wendy and Teresa when it hit me out of the blue,” he added.
Grandmother Wendy said: “I felt really emotional at the time but I’m so pleased Dave who is a lovely bloke has pulled through.
“The police said he’d died two or three times here at Betfred, in the ambulance and then again at the hospital.”
Teresa, also a grandmother, said: “He was gone and we brought him back then he was fighting and the emergency doctor gave him a sedative. I’m really happy because Dave is such a nice man.”
Betfred boss Fred Done said: “Wendy and Teresa were truly amazing and I’m delighted their heroic actions have been recognised by the Royal Humane Society. “