A MAN who was saved by fellow parishioners and a church while at Mass has been speaking of his experience to raise awareness of defibrillators and first aid training.
Benny Gallagher, who had suffered a heart attack eight years prior, collapsed after entering St Davog’s Church on Christmas morning.
Luckily, a vigilant paramedic noticed Benny’s distress, and acted swiftly, aided by the immediate response of doctors and nurses among the parishioners.
With the help of a defibrillator from the chapel’s sacristy, and medical personnel and others in the church, Benny’s life was saved not once, but twice, as his heart stopped and restarted.
February is ‘Heart Month’, and Benny and his family agreed to speak to the ‘Herald about the incident to raise awareness of the importance of defibrillators and first aid training.
Speaking as part of ‘Heart Month’, Benny recalled, “I was already running late for Mass, and when I got to the chapel car park I couldn’t find a space. I wasn’t running toward the chapel doors, but I was walking quite hard.
To read more on this story see this week’s Fermanagh Herald. Can’t get to the shop to collect your copy? No problem! You can download a copy straight to your device by following this link… Subscribe to current edition
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere