Clevedon Rugby Club has thanked the quick thinking of players, staff and the emergency services following a medical emergency with one of its second XV players following a league fixture against Nailsea and Backwell earlier this month.

Bradley Summerell collapsed at full-time after suffering a cardiac incident, but thanks to the actions of club Medics Lizzie Newell and Amy Thompson, Club director Nat Fear as well as teammates Tom Wain, Ollie Jones and Brent Manners followed up by the response of the emergency services, within 48 hours Brad was recovering at home.

After returning home Brad said “It was a blocked artery. So they put a stent in and cleared it. They said it was due to genetics and bad luck”.

Clevedon RFC director of rugby Tony Dauncey said, “ as a club we put a high value on looking after our players and Lizzie is one of the best Medic’s we have had, without her skills and cool head in this situation I have no doubt we would be dealing with a much different outcome.”

The incident unfolded immediately after the final whistle of a thrilling match between Clevedon and Nailsea 2nds, the game finished with N&B thwarting a final attack from the home side to take a narrow win, both teams shook and Clevedon walked to form a tunnel, at this point Brad collapsed fortunately his brother in law Oli Jones and off duty fireman Tom wain were at hand to check his airways and put him into the recovery position, Club director Nat Fear rushed to support and quickly realising all was not well they called the 1st XV pithchside medic Lizzie to assist.

Upon assessing the situation Lizzie and assistant Amy quickly realised this was a potentially dire situation, calling for the defibrillator, the 1st team match was abandoned as the pitches were cleared for the air ambulance. As the situation escalated Lizzie had to discharge the defibrillator and administer CPR but amazingly Summerell was joking with paramedics just 10 minutes later before being transported to BRI via ambulance.

Dauncey commented “ the situation escalated really quickly, we could see the 2nd’s had a tight finish, and our 1st XV had just scored to put the game out of reach against the highflying Longlevens. Then I noticed some people running across the pitches and noticed one of our boys was on the floor, I then noticed that he was receiving CPR and the situation was serious.” “the actions and speed of thought was unreal, our players and medical team were giving Brad first aid within 60 seconds, The first ambulance was there within 7 minutes and the helicopter within 15 minutes, the situation went from being our worst nightmare to one of total relief in a short space of time as Brad joked about his availability whilst being lifted into the ambulance.”

Bradley was operated on in Bristol Royal Infirmary before being released just 48 hours later as medics confirmed the fast actions of team mates and the medical team ensured and lasting damage was minimal. He is looking forward to recovering at home before enjoying a long planned family holiday and has plans to return to the rugby field next season

As a result of this incident Clevedon RFC would like to thank the Air Ambulance service, paramedics and Clevedon United FC for use of their life-saving defibrillator. We would like to thank Nailsea & Backwell & Longlevens RFC for their support and understanding

Brad & Emma would like to place on record their gratitude for the outstanding actions of Oli, Tom, Nat, Lizzie, Amy and Brent. Without their actions under extreme pressure, this could have had a very different outcome.

They would also wanted to say thank you for all the well wishes, cards and messages as there has been so many.

Finally they have a special thankyou to the RFU who have been in touch since the evening of the incident , they have offered every type of support at their disposal and have followed up checking on Brad and his family at every stage.