Ambulance delay after soccer collapse

10:10am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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A DEAF man, who collapsed following a football match, had to wait 45 minutes for an ambulance, an inquest heard.

Martyn Burton, of Tanners Street, Ramsbottom, was lying on a changing room floor suffering chest and jaw pains for an estimated 45 minutes before expert medical help arrived.

The inquest in Bridgend, South Wales, heard that by the time an ambulance arrived on February 4 last year, Mr Burton had stopped breathing.

Mr Burton (31) was pronounced dead at the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend later that day.

He was the player-manager of Manchester Deaf FC which had travelled to Bridgend near Cardiff for a British Deaf Cup first round match.

After playing a part in his side's 4-3 victory, Mr Burton went to the changing rooms with team mate Mark Guerrieria.

In a statement, Mr Guerrieria told the inquest: "We were overjoyed and everyone was happy. We went to the dressing room fooling about and I went to the shower with Martyn."

After showering, Mr Guerrieria said another team mate approached him shortly afterwards asking for help as Mr Burton had fallen to the floor and had remained there.

Mr Guerrieria told the inquest he started resuscitation on his friend when he stopped breathing and carried on doing it for ten minutes.

"Finally the ambulance arrived," Mr Guerrieria said. "I was getting angry - it took ages."

Bridgend Coroner Philip Walters recorded an open verdict.

Mr Burton, a sheet metalworker, was a popular figure in Ramsbottom, where he set up home in Tanners Street with his King Charles Spaniel, Guinness - named after his favourite drink - and cats Coke and Cola.

He excelled at pool, helping Bury's Knowsley Hotel team to the Radcliffe League third division title and earning himself the nickname Rammy Hero'.

He also won the Ramsbottom Pool League singles trophy and captained the team at his local, the Rose and Crown.

Mr Burton was a sports secretary for both Bolton and Manchester Deaf Clubs.

His funeral at St Paul's Church, Ramsbottom, was attended by more than 300 mourners.