Scots rugby player kept alive by local heroes after he collapsed on pitch

Stuart Patterson

Published: 23:16, 24 Jun 2021
Updated: 23:18, 24 Jun 2021

A RUGBY player was kept alive by two hero off-duty cops after he suffered a seizure on the pitch.

Hamish Bell, 20, suddenly keeled over and was struck by fits during a non-contact game at Blairgowrie RFC in Perthshire.

Hamish Bell was kept alive by off-duty cops after collapsing on the rugby pitch

In a replay of the horror involving Danish footballer Christian Eriksen’s collapse in the Euro 2020 clash with Finland, the youngster’s lips went blue as he was hit by a cardiac arrest.

Armed response officers Mike Grant and Phil Maxwell sprung into action and saved the day, with the help of a spectator and another player.

Recalling the drama at John Johnston Coupar Recreation Park, club president Mark Reddin, 37, said: “It was a shocker that thankfully had a happy ending.

He had been playing non-contact rugby in his hometown when he keeled over

“Hamish is young, fit and healthy. None of us could have predicted this, but he was incredibly lucky Mike and Phil were there.

"Both have been in similar situations in the past. They weren't daunted.

"They went straight to work. They had the situation under control and they saved his life."

BBC received 6,417 complaints for showing Eriksen collapse footage

The cops, who have advanced first aid training, zapped student Hamish with the club’s defibrillator.

They also performed CPR for about 25 minutes until paramedics made it to the scene.

The Aberdeen Uni student was rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where docs said he had defied incredible odds to pull through.

The shock incident was similar to Christian Eriksen's collapse at the EurosCredit: Reuters

Hamish’s dad Arthur praised the pair who saved his son.

He said: “The medical staff at A&E made it very clear that without your prompt action we would probably have lost Hamish.

“Myself and my family can’t thank you enough and we will be forever indebted to you.”

Hamish studies at Aberdeen Uni and was home for a brief visit before he decided to walk across the road for a game at the rugby club in the sunshine.

He’s now undergoing a battery of tests to try and work out what went wrong.

From his hospital bed, he said: “Big thanks to everyone. I’m due people a few pints. Just have to wait and see what the doctor finds to have caused it.”