What began as a friendly five-a-side match turned into a fight for life when 32-year-old Regan Pearson collapsed suddenly on the pitch.

Sudden Collapse on the Pitch

Regan was playing a regular weekly game with colleagues at a leisure centre in Northallerton when disaster struck. Without warning, he fell backwards and hit his head on the ground. But the real danger was internal—he had gone into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

A teammate with first aid training immediately stepped in, placing him into the recovery position. But when Regan stopped breathing, bystanders began performing CPR while staff called emergency services.

Critical Response From Air Ambulance Team

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance deployed a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV), often quicker than a helicopter in built-up areas. Paramedics Terri-ann Lonie and Tom Chatwyn arrived on scene with life-saving equipment.

“Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency,” said Paramedic Tom Chatwyn.
“If the heart stops and breathing ceases, survival depends on immediate CPR and defibrillation. Every minute counts.”

When the team arrived, Regan’s pulse had returned thanks to the quick action of teammates and leisure centre staff—but he was still unconscious, and his condition remained critical.

Emergency Procedure and Hospital Transfer

Concerned that Regan’s heart could stop again, the medics prepared for Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) to secure his airway and ensure oxygen flow to his brain. With the on-site doctor already busy, another critical care doctor from a nearby air ambulance was called in to assist.

Regan was then transferred to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he underwent further tests.

Hidden Heart Defect Discovered

Hospital staff discovered that Regan had an undiagnosed congenital defect in his right coronary artery. This defect had led to the cardiac arrest. He underwent open-heart surgery and had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted to prevent future incidents.

“You Never Think It’ll Happen at 32”

Regan, now recovering, reflected on the terrifying experience.

“At 32, you never think something like this could happen to you. The average age for a cardiac arrest in the UK is around 70,” he said.
“I can’t put into words how grateful I am—to my teammates, the leisure centre staff, and the medical professionals. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

⚠️ Cardiac Arrest in Football: The Hidden Risk

While rare, sudden cardiac arrest in young footballers is not unheard of. According to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), 12 young people die each week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions—many during exercise or sport.

In football alone, over 60 players have collapsed due to SCA in England since 2018, as reported by sports medical journals and grassroots organizations.

Early CPR and access to a defibrillator can increase survival rates by up to 70%. That’s why the presence of trained individuals and readily available defibs is critical at all sporting events, amateur or professional.

Knowing CPR and having access to a defibrillator can make all the difference. Consider taking a course or talking to your local club or workplace about installing an AED.