Thu Sep 19 17:08:01 UTC 2024: ## Local Cricketers Become Heroes After Saving Teammate’s Life
**Gloucestershire, England** – A friendly cricket match turned into a life-saving operation on May 12th when 68-year-old Phil Steers suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Kingsholm CC. Thanks to the quick thinking and heroic efforts of his teammates and opposing players, Steers survived the ordeal and is now on the road to recovery.
The incident unfolded during a match against Corse Lawn CC. Steers felt unwell after bowling the tenth over and collapsed outside the pavilion. Corse Lawn’s Shabir Kashoo, along with Kingsholm’s Donna Cayless and Mark Didcote, immediately sprang into action, taking turns administering CPR for 20 minutes. They successfully restarted Steers’ heart twice, keeping him alive until paramedics arrived.
The situation was particularly tense as the nearest defibrillator at the village hall malfunctioned. The swift and dedicated actions of Kashoo, Cayless, and Didcote, coupled with the arrival of multiple ambulances and the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, ultimately saved Steers’ life.
Steers was rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where he received emergency care and was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). After spending two weeks in the hospital and undergoing cardiac rehabilitation, Steers is now well on the way to making a full recovery.
“It’s just incredible what people were able to do for me on that day,” said Steers, expressing his gratitude to his rescuers. “I’m just very, very lucky that three people on that day knew exactly what to do. I’ve been trained in first aid, but there’s a big difference to doing the course compared to when someone is dead in front of you.”
Shabir Kashoo, a care worker and fellow cricket player, attributes his quick response to his training and experience. “I just kept going and going and going and didn’t stop,” he said, recounting the moment. “When the paramedics eventually arrived, they said to me what I did saved his life.”
Steers aims to return to cricket, hoping to play in the same fixture next May, a testament to the incredible resilience he has shown after his near-death experience.
In recognition of their heroic efforts, Kashoo, Cayless, Didcote, and Tim Ross-Smith from the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity joined Steers at a presentation during a recent Gloucestershire County Championship match. This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the power of community and the importance of first aid training.
First Piper 