Dad reunited with heroes who saved him after sudden cardiac arrest

Dad reunited with heroes who saved him after sudden cardiac arrest The dramatic rescue has highlighted how vital confidence with defibrillators can be, with new research suggesting many people would still hesitate to use one in an emergency A dad who suffered a cardiac arrest and was unconscious for 22 minutes has been reunited with the two men who helped save his life. Marvin Joseph-Daay, 39, collapsed without warning just 15 minutes into a football match before referee Michael Mcdonaugh began CPR and Richard Witt rushed over with a defibrillator. The dad-of-three was later told he had been without oxygen for six minutes and needed four shocks before a faint pulse returned. Just days after leaving hospital, Marvin met Michael and Richard at a pub in Reading so he could thank them face-to-face. Marvin, from Hounslow, said: “I heard about what they had done and I just needed to meet them and say thank you. One thing I will say is my ribs were still really sore and I felt like I’d been in a ring with Mike Tyson. “Then when I saw the size of Richard, I understood. I was definitely very, very thankful to them (after going through) an overwhelming experience where I was that close to death.” Marvin, who works at Gatwick Airport, had been playing goalkeeper for Englefield Eagles Football Club at Sol Joel Park in Reading on December 14, 2025. He said there had been no sign anything was wrong when he woke up that morning or during the warm-up. Marvin said: “I felt fit, healthy and ready to go, which is the most frightening part of the situation because I didn’t feel anything was off.” Around 15 minutes into the game, he suddenly collapsed. Marvin said: “You think you’d get a twinge (of pain) or something or you’re not feeling well, but I had absolutely nothing.” Michael immediately began CPR while someone nearby ran to find help. Richard, 42, a social inclusion manager at Reading Football Club who had first-aid training through his job, rushed over from a neighbouring pitch. He told PA Real Life: “Marvin was on the floor on his back, eyes wide open, not breathing at all. “Everyone else was standing around not knowing what to do, panicking, crying on the phone to the ambulance. So I asked if anybody had gone for a defib yet.” A defibrillator was brought from the pavilion and Richard took over chest compressions before attaching the pads to Marvin’s chest. Richard said: “The machine is loud. It talks clearly, it gives you great instruction, it tells you when to stand back and it tells you when we need to recharge for the next shock. “And we were talking to Marvin all the way through, even though he wasn’t awake.” After four shocks, Richard said he was “relieved” to feel Marvin’s “very faint” pulse. Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards and continued emergency treatment before taking Marvin to Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. Richard said he was told Marvin’s chances were still “50-50”. Marvin was later placed in an induced coma and woke around 24 hours later. Recalling his first memory after waking up, Marvin said: “I was lying there with all these wires coming out and listening to the sounds of the hospital room. I was a bit confused and shocked… it was quite traumatising to be honest.” Within two days, Marvin had a defibrillator device fitted to help treat dangerous heart rhythms and was discharged on Christmas Eve. He had previously suffered a heart attack in 2019, aged 32, and was later diagnosed with heart failure and high blood pressure. Marvin said: “But otherwise, everything was quite plain sailing. I felt healthy in myself, the pills were working and I was getting regular check-ups.” Since the cardiac arrest, he has undergone physiotherapy and talking therapy as he continues his recovery. Marvin said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Michael and Richard for their fast thinking and what they did. “I definitely feel very lucky that I’m able to walk out of that situation and I’m happy that these football pitches were equipped with defibs and somebody had the courage to use them. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here now.” The British Heart Foundation says more than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the UK each year and fewer than one in 10 people survive. New research from the charity found 69% of football fans believe fear could stop them from using a defibrillator during a cardiac arrest. Richard said: “People need to be aware that the (defibrillator) machines are not something to be scared of. Having more of them across the country will save lives, just like it did with Marvin’s.” The British Heart Foundation and Sky Bet are using their Every Minute Matters campaign to tackle fears around defibrillator use, with 400 community machines being funded over three years.