Heroes save Angmering rugby ref after he collapses

Richard Short, 57, was refereeing a friendly match between Worthing Raiders Academy and Worth School when he collapsed 20 minutes into the game, at the club’s home in Roundstone Lane, Angmering.

Michael Dingle, 16, of Lloyd Goring Close, Angmering.immediately recognised something was wrong and put Richard into the recovery position while his older brother Mark, an emergency care support worker for South East Coast Ambulance Service, ran on from the touch line.

Mark performed CPR and used a defibrillator to restore Richard’s heart rhythm before the ambulance and air ambulance arrived.

Richard, who lives in Shoreham with his wife, Kathy, and son, Harry, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where doctors inserted a stent.

Club chairman Brian Vincent said: “Thankfully and very fortunately, Richard is well on the road to recovery and on Tuesday was saying he was bored and wanted to read a book. It is hoped he will be out of hospital by the end of the week. I have seen quite a few things in the rugby world but that was the scariest because Richard is one of our own.

“Mark saved Richard’s life without a doubt, and it just shows how important it is to have things in place so that you are able to react if something happens.

“It could have been a very different story and Richard is a very lucky man.

“To just see him keel over and collapse like that was very frightening. He is an engineer and so physically fit and well so you really do not think someone like Richard would have a major heart attack.”

Chris Dingle, brother to Mark and Michael, said: “Both my brothers’ quick actions undoubtedly saved his life.”

Mark, of Worthing Road, East Preston, said: “I’m glad that Richard made it through what happened and I’m sure that we’ll see him back at the club soon. I’m very proud of my little brother Michael who having turned 16 only a few weeks ago was calm and did everything right until I got there, which is impressive.”