Bookie saves life in Edinburgh

Matthew Hannah rushed to the supporter who fell to the ground at the Three Sisters Pub in Cowgate, minutes after watching his team beat fierce rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final on TV.

The 23-year-old bookie began performing the life-saving CPR before ambulance crews arrived ten minutes later.

The former lifeguard said: “I had a tear in my eye because I honestly didn’t expect him to wake up again. As soon as he collapsed I knew he wasn’t breathing and I had to do something about it.

“I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t performed the CPR, someone else would have.

“I continued doing it until the ambulance arrived and they attached him to a defibrillator and after two shocks he opened his eyes.”

The man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in a “serious condition” after they received an emergency call shortly before 3pm on Sunday. Rangers fans, who were celebrating a 5-4 penalties victory, looked on in shock as Matthew performed the CPR.

A witness, who asked not to be named, said: “The majority of people that were in the pub were Rangers supporters so everyone was jumping up and down cheering when they won.

“The man just dropped down and everyone was staring.

“Another man rushed through the crowd and started performing CPR – it was obvious the guy on the floor was having a cardiac arrest.”

Andrew Cohen, general manager of the pub, said: “We can confirm that on Sunday one of our customers went into cardiac arrest in the courtyard.

“Our quick-thinking staff, along with customer Matthew Hannah, acted immediately, performing CPR and calling the emergency services.

“We are pleased to say we received an update from the man’s daughter, who thanked those staff who assisted, and tells us he is currently in the hospital cracking jokes.”