Theatre man saved pensioner's life

A pensioner who collapsed outside the Birmingham Hippodrome today told how his life was saved by a member of staff – who had just completed a first aid course.

Grandfather-of-two Malcolm Beese, aged 73, was with a friend John Preston, 63, eagerly awaiting the stars of Calender Girls who were performing at the theatre.

Mr Beese, of Brierley Hill, was waiting to get autographs from actors including Bernie Nolan and Gary Lineker's wife Danielle, when he was taken ill and collapsed at the stage door.

The theatre's head of customer services Jonathan Thompson, was among the first to help Mr Beese. He spotted the signs he had learnt about in a first aid refresher class with St John's Ambulance.

He put Mr Beese into the recovery position while staff called for an ambulance.

But after discovering he was not breathing, Mr Thompson began performing the kiss of life and chest compressions until paramedics arrived. The theatre has its own defibrillator and staff are trained by St John's Ambulance service.

"The work that Jonathan did to keep me alive – I can't put it into words," said Mr Beese, who has been married to Jessie Amy for 48 years.

Mr Beese, a retired kitchen carpenter and metal forging engineer, brought Mr Thompson a bottle of whisky and a card to say thank you. He has had to have six heart bypass operations but is now on the road to recovery.

"The paramedics used the defibrillator, and it was successful," said Mr Thompson, who has worked at the theatre for nine years.

"It was such a relief, and mixed emotions of shock and pride, that I had been able to make a difference and help save someone's life. When he went in the ambulance we didn't know what the outcome would be, but the crews came back later and congratulated me for what I had done.

"They said it was the chest compressions I had delivered that saved his life – that is something that will stick in my mind forever."