A couple can thank their lucky stars that they chose the Rockhill Ramblers to perform at their wedding last week after two band members saved a guests’ life.
Siofra Johnston and Ben Relton were celebrating their wedding reception in the Sandhouse Hotel in Rossnowlagh with their family and friends when tragedy struck.
The uncle of the bride, local man Alan Johnston, took a heart attack on the dancefloor and it was all thanks to the quick actions of the band members that he was resuscitated.
Thankfully, two of the Rockhill Ramblers are medical professionals as well as musicians – Matthew Diver is a paramedic and Patrick Meehan is a nurse.
Speaking to Donegal Woman, band member Darren recalled the events:
“We were only playing for about 20 minutes, and it was during a set of waltz’ that we saw Alan drop to the floor. The two lads ran straight over to him and started to perform CPR on him. They shouted out for a mask for the CPR and defibrillator and I ran behind the bar to get it. Myself and a staff member had the defibrillator over in less that a few minutes.”
“The lads gave him the shock and by the time the paramedics arrived he was talking and back to life.”
The 70-year-old uncle was adamant that his heart attack wouldn’t stop the party, Darren recalled.
“On the way out he says to me: “Play on anyway boys, I might be back!”
“There was a lot of panic on the dancefloor as the whole family were there. Thankfully there were two nurses there too, fair play to them, and there was a lot of people working in the chain of survival.”
“We all worked together and the rest of the band cleared the way for the ambulance.”
“All’s well that ends well, and thankfully Alan’s still with us today.”
“Matthew and Patrick are very humble about it all, but I’m happy to credit them. We’re very proud of them. The two lads knew exactly what to do and when to do it.”
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