Leicester university professor saves man's life during chess match

Richard Hanscombe (far right) was saved by Prof Simon Gay (second right)

A professor saved a man's life after he suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of a chess match in Leicester.

Richard Hanscombe, 77, collapsed during the match at Braunstone Civic Centre on 11 October, prompting the University of Leicester's Prof Simon Gay to begin CPR.

It was not until 35 minutes after he collapsed that medical staff could detect a heartbeat.

Mr Hanscombe's wife, Paulette, described him as a "miracle man".

Prof Gay, a trained GP and head of the university's medical school, recognised the danger and began CPR.

Mr Hanscombe was then taken to Glenfield Hospital by ambulance, where he was hooked up to a ventilator.

While there, his family were told his brain had little chance of survival and hospital staff began to remove his breathing apparatus.

But Mr Hanscombe suddenly showed signs of life - kicking his legs out and trying to open his eyes.

"One minute we were crying our eyes out, and the next we were jumping for joy," Mrs Hanscombe said.

As his breathing apparatus was being removed, Mr Hanscombe suddenly kicked his legs out and tried to open his eyes

Mr Hanscombe said: "I'm a glass half full sort of person and I just get on with things, so even though I'd felt a little unwell that evening, I decided to play chess anyway.

"I'm pleased I did because if it hadn't happened where it did, Simon wouldn't have been there to help and I wouldn't be here today.

"I owe Simon my life for what he did and I'm extremely grateful."

Mr Hanscombe, who spent nearly a month in hospital, has also overcome liver and lung cancer, as well as a life-threatening sepsis episode in recent years.

"He's the man with nine lives, but we're not complaining," his wife added.

Prof Gay said he was "very pleased" to have been able to help.

"This just goes to show how important having basic CPR skills can be," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to the next time Richard and I are both playing chess together - it will certainly have a bit more meaning to it."