I died 27 times in one day and SURVIVED: Doctors save father who suffered dozens of heart attacks after football match

  • Ray Woodhall, 54, collapsed after suffering a heart attack while playing walking football
  • Unaware of his condition he tried to go home but was stopped by a nurse who dialled 999
  • He was taken to hospital where he suffered 26 more heart attacks
  • He praised hospital staff for working tirelessly to save his life 

By Joe Sheppard For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A father-of-three has praised hospital staff for bringing him back to life after he suffered 27 heart attacks in 24 hours.

Ray Woodhall, 54, of Wednesbury, West Midlands, had been playing walking football when he collapsed.

He thought he was just dehydrated and was taken off the pitch on a stretcher before making his way to his car. 

Ray Woodhall, of Wednesbury, West Midlands, had been playing walking football when he collapsed shortly after suffering a heart attack

Ray Woodhall, of Wednesbury, West Midlands, had been playing walking football when he collapsed shortly after suffering a heart attack

But an off-duty male nurse, called Brad, who was watching the game, insisted they call an ambulance.

Paramedics told Mr Woodhall, who works for a soft drinks firm, that he had suffered a heart attack he was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he suffered an astounding 26 more.

He was instantly met by the cardiology team who took him to the operating theatre, where they put two stents in his artery to increase blood flow.

His family were told he might not make it and that he would have a high risk of brain damage if he did.

Mr Woodhall, pictured front left with his walking football team, is keen to get out playing again after his ordeal

Mr Woodhall, pictured front left with his walking football team, is keen to get out playing again after his ordeal

He says he owes everything to hospital staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital who brought him back to life after he suffered 27 heart attacks
The father-of-three is looking for the nurse, named Brad, who called 999

He says he owes everything to hospital staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital who brought him back to life after he suffered 27 heart attacks

But hospital staff battled tirelessly to save the man, who had no previous heart problems, and, through a series of miracles, he pulled through.

Mr Woodhall is still recovering after his ordeal on December 17 but says he is able to manage an hour's walk each day.

But the Aston Villa fan is aching to get out playing walking football again with his team, Hartshill Strollers. 

Upon arriving at the hospital, Mr Woodhall was met by the cardiology team, who put two stents in his artery 

Upon arriving at the hospital, Mr Woodhall was met by the cardiology team, who put two stents in his artery 

He told The Sun: 'They told me they've never heard of anyone 'dying' so many times and the only reason I'm here is because of them.

'The hospital was brilliant and I owe them everything.'

He has since visited the hospital to thank the staff but is keen to get in touch with Brad to thank him for his quick thinking.

He said: 'I'd love to find him just so I can say thank you I'm still here today.'

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