Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, recently welcomed inspirational staff from Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena, to thank them for their quick actions, which helped save the life of customer Paul McClinton in January.
Paul was attending early morning swimming in mid-January when he became very unwell - suffering a cardiac arrest.
Quick thinking leisure centre staff responded to the situation immediately and provided care and support – with the crucial help from a defibrillator - to Paul until the arrival of an Ambulance crew, shortly followed by the Air Ambulance crew.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams, said:
“I am extremely proud of the staff involved in this incident. These situations can be very frightening – but the professionalism and efficiency shown by those first on the scene was exemplary.
“Council is dedicated to ensuring relevant staff get the vital staff training sessions required to ensure that when they need to deliver lifesaving first aid - they can do so without hesitation and with confidence.”
Paul also attended the Mayor’s Parlour to meet the staff who helped in his hour of need and to thank them for all their help on that critical day.
Staff involved on the day included - Ronan McKillop Leisure Attendant Rescue and First Response; Darren McGinty, Senior Attendant; Terence Diamond Leisure Attendant; James Rea, Duty Officer (Off Duty in Fitness Room); William Glover, Leisure Attendant; Joshua Blair, Leisure Attendant; Gareth Hamilton, Leisure Attendant; Peter Gregg, Duty Officer; Louisa Crawford, Receptionist and Claire Gillespie, Fitness Instructor.