Guardian angel saves boxer who collapsed

Guardian angel saves boxer who collapsed

5 November 2014

A KILLOUGH businessman has praised an off-duty coronary care nurse who saved his life after he suffered a heart attack during a charity boxing match last weekend.

Sean McLaughlin (44) — a married father of three — was taking part in a fundraising boxing event last Saturday evening, but ended up fighting for his own life.

The businessman was fighting for the Coney Island youth soccer team at a community centre in Ardglass when he collapsed in the ring at the end of the second round of his bout.

First-aiders from the Order of Malta, who were on standby at the event, began CPR on Mr. McLaughlin and were assisted by off-duty nurse Roisin Dorrian, who works at the Downe Hospital.

Mr. McLaughlin, who is an amateur boxer, contacted Mrs. Dorrian from his hospital bed to thank her for being his “guardian angel” and said he will never be able to thank her enough.

The businessman was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital before being transferred to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald where he is currently being monitored.

Mr. McLaughlin’s wife Sharon said her family is “extremely grateful” to the actions of everyone who assisted, gave medical help, and to the Order of Malta who provided the defibrillator.

“We are particularly in debt to Roisin to whom Sean owes his life,” she said. “Roisin was attending Mass nearby and had not intended to attend the boxing event. The fact she was there saved my husband’s life and there was clearly someone watching over him as all the help he needed when he suffered his heart attack was literally beside him.”

Sharon said there is no doubt that had her husband not received the medical help when he did, “her family would have suffered a tragedy.”

She continued: “I had been due to attend the boxing match but changed my mind at the last minute and did not go. Thankfully the help Sean needed was close at hand and he is very lucky to be alive.

“We are so grateful to everyone who helped Sean and will never be able to thank them enough. However, in honour of the people who saved my husband’s life last weekend, we are planning to donate a defibrillator to the people of Ardglass who can decide where it should be located.”

Mrs. McLaughlin believes that after what happened to her husband last weekend, defibrillators should be available at all large events.

She added: “Sean was very lucky as the trained medical personnel and lifesaving equipment was available to help him. Tragedies can often strike when least expected and we are so grateful there were people who could help Sean at his side.”

The coronary care nurse who saved Mr. McLaughlin’s life, said she knew something very serious had happened. Mrs. Dorrian said she jumped into the ring and pulled a defibrillator that was provided by the Order of Malta and used it on the critically ill boxer.

The nurse added: “I am very proud I was able to help. I just did what I am trained to do. The patient has since phoned me and thanked me for being his guardian angel. I am very proud and very touched. I am very pleased he is doing well.”