Quick-thinking venue boss rushes to help save life of wedding guest

Staff at the wedding venue gave life-saving first aid to a guest who collapsed and stopped breathing during a reception.

The man, an elderly relative of the bride, was taken ill at Casey’s Cordingley Hall.

He collapsed in the arms of a family member just before midnight at the venue in Wellington Road, Donnington.

Duty manager Lisa went to his aid, but was unable to find a pulse, so disco DJ Layton Chantry dialled 999.

Speaking over the telephone, a call assessor told Miss Stevens to give CPR immediately.

Miss Stevens said: “We had spent the day celebrating the wedding, the evening was going well.

“But at the end of the night when I was ushering the last remaining customers out to their taxis, the man collapsed.

“I used my first aid training to assist him and could tell that he had become unconscious.”

Miss Stevens put the man into the recovery position while Mr Chantry called the emergency services.

The man was in a stable condition when by the time the ambulance arrived and was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital.

He was kept in hospital overnight, and is now recovering at home after his ordeal on March 23.

Nicola Casey, managing director of Casey’s Venues, said: “Lisa showed a great deal of courage and in that very intense situation stayed very strong and calm.

“She said the whole team helped her to get through it with support and also gave reassurance to the family members that were present.

“I am immensely proud of her and grateful that not only Lisa but all of the other duty managers too who have received such fantastic training from Simon at Heys First Aid to be able to deal with life-threatening situations like this.”

Mrs Casey said she had bought Miss Stevens a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her efforts.