WRU hails heroics of Colwyn Bay volunteer

David Jones saved Mel Jones’ life at the roadside just days after attending a WRU/St John Cymru-Wales Rugby Emergency Aid course.
Mr Jones, 62, collapsed whilst waiting in a petrol queue and David was passing by when he was told a man had “died”.
The 54-year-old youth team volunteer first aider and coach, whose two sons play for the north wales club, calmly sprang into action and, after establishing that Mr Jones was no longer breathing, began a 30-minute bid to save him.
Paramedics then arrived on the scene to help David and gave Mr Jones emergency treatment before he was rushed to hospital.
“This is a truly heart-warming story and highlights the importance of the training we have put in place in rugby clubs throughout Wales,” said WRU head of compliance Julie Paterson. 
“The WRU has funded training for over 2,000 first aiders in the last two years, on its bespoke ‘WRU/St John Cymru-Wales Rugby Emergency Aid’ course, and we aim to have as many designated first aid volunteers attached to a team as possible.
“We encourage our coaches and first aiders at all clubs to take this course because you never know when you will be called upon to revive a player or supporter, with clubs being a key gathering place in our towns and cities.
“We are delighted that David was able to use the techniques he learned on the WRU course to save Mr Jones’ life and cannot praise him highly enough for his awareness and determination under what must have been particularly intense circumstances.”
Retired building worker Mr Jones has since undergone a triple heart bypass at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital where he is still recovering.
Landscape gardener David said: “Everyone else in the queue seemed frozen and a woman motorist just said ‘he’s dead’
“He was not breathing, there was no movement at all and his face had drained of all colour, but I was determined to try and do what I could.
“I opened his airways and began giving him the kiss of life and pumping his chest in the way I had just been taught.
“I kept at it for 20 minutes and was encouraged when I saw his body begin moving and I kept at it for another 10 minutes and saw the colour come back into his face and knew he was alive.
“The paramedics said he had died and the hospital told me he could have been dead for up to five minutes.
“I’m so glad I took the WRU course – it meant I was on the spot to save Mr Jones’ life. Doctors feared he might have suffered brain damage but thankfully he had not.”
Mel Jones’ daughter Zoe, 24 said: “Words cannot express our gratitude to David.
“If it wasn’t for him dad would have died. As it was he was basically dead for a few minutes before David administered CPR.
“Dad doesn’t remember a thing about what happened or even that he was in the petrol station.”
Jon Phillips, director of training at St John Cymru-Wales, said: “We are delighted that the targeted first aid we offer to rugby clubs in Wales was able to be used by Mr Jones to save the life of a casualty away from the pitch.
“It’s another example of the importance of first aid, and how being prepared for incidents like this can be the difference between life and death.”
The WRU/St John Cymru-Wales Rugby Emergency Aid course is a bespoke training course for rugby club volunteers. 
Clubs can apply to the WRU for funding to host courses as part of ongoing volunteer training – interested clubs should contact: CColeman@wru.co.uk