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The 49-year-old felt unwell minutes before ‘crashing to the ground’
A man is in critical condition after suffering a heart-attack while watching a Welsh rugby cup final. Darran Williams, 49, has been described as an “instrumental” member of Abercwmboi RFC, coaching a number of their youth teams.
Darran was watching his son Mason Williams play for the club in the Keith Jones Cup Final against Penygraig RFC on Sunday when he turned to his friend to say he suddenly did not feel well. Darran had been enjoying the game with his grandson Tommy up on his shoulders.
As the medic was making his way over to assess Darran, he collapsed. The medic started CPR and the game was suspended.
Police, paramedics and an air ambulance arrived at the scene within minutes and Darran was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, where he remains in a critical condition. It’s understood he had suffered a heart attack.
Abercwmboi RFC Chairman, Rhydian Collins, said: “There was around one quarter of an hour left of the game when Darren turned to one of the boys to say that he wasn’t feeling well. That person then went to get our physio, Craig Davis, who attended to Darran and then within minutes, he went crashing to the ground.
“Craig ended up doing CPR on him on the side of the field and obviously the game was suspended.
“Just minutes before Darren had his grandson up on his shoulders.
“We are just really fortunate that the incident took place where it did really. I suppose if he was in the house or if he was on his own somewhere, then he probably would not have survived. It was just really fortunate that Craig Davies, our first aider, saved his life.”
Darran, who works as a tradesman, was described by the club’s Chairman as a fit and active family man who would “do anybody a favour.”
The club will be setting up a fundraiser to support Darran’s family while he is in hospital.
Mr Collins said: “He is just a real salt of the earth guy, really. Just the amount of people who have reached out locally already, says it all really. My phone has not stopped.
“I would like to thank Jemma Bloom from Penygraig RFC who helped Craig deal with the emergency as it happened. She was outstanding, as were the emergency services.
“The first responder arrived within seconds and then five minutes later there were two ambulance crews, police and 10 minutes after that the air ambulance landed at the scene.
“We are very grateful and they do not always get lots of praise these days but our experience yesterday was first class to be fair.”
A spokesperson for Penygraig RFC said the club extends their sincere thoughts and best wishes to Darran and his family at this difficult time.
“We hope for his full and speedy recovery,” they said.
South Wales said: “Officers were called to Fairfield Lane, Hawthorn just after 4pm on Sunday (April 26) to a medical emergency. One person was taken to hospital.”
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