http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11122011/58/league-lucas-cresswell-saved-life.html
Rochdale goalkeeper David Lucas thanked former team-mate Richard Cresswell for 'saving his life' after being knocked unconscious during the Dale's 3-0 defeat to Cresswell's current club Sheffield United.
Lucas collided with Blades defender Neill Collins on the stroke of half-time and wasn't aware that Cresswell (pictured) had moved him into the recovery position before paramedics arrived for emergency treatment, in order to prevent his former Preston North End comrade from swallowing his tongue.
And the grateful stopper made no bones about the magnitude of the deed: "As dramatic as it sounds to say he saved my life, maybe he did," he told the BBC.
"It was lucky on my part that someone as sensible and quick-thinking like Cressy reacted as quickly as he did."
"I only remember a free-kick outside of the box which came into the area and started curling away from me.
"I thought 'I've got to steady myself here and go in for the ball' then I knew I was down and the next thing I remember was the emergency staff putting a neck brace on me, so obviously I was knocked out for a few minutes.
"It was totally accidental and if it wasn't me then it could have been someone else," he continued, "you don't realise at the time but the lads said it was scary stuff.
"I'll be ringing Cressy to say thank you and also the Sheffield United medical staff for their help."
Eurosport
Rochdale goalkeeper David Lucas thanked former team-mate Richard Cresswell for 'saving his life' after being knocked unconscious during the Dale's 3-0 defeat to Cresswell's current club Sheffield United.
Lucas collided with Blades defender Neill Collins on the stroke of half-time and wasn't aware that Cresswell (pictured) had moved him into the recovery position before paramedics arrived for emergency treatment, in order to prevent his former Preston North End comrade from swallowing his tongue.
And the grateful stopper made no bones about the magnitude of the deed: "As dramatic as it sounds to say he saved my life, maybe he did," he told the BBC.
"It was lucky on my part that someone as sensible and quick-thinking like Cressy reacted as quickly as he did."
"I only remember a free-kick outside of the box which came into the area and started curling away from me.
"I thought 'I've got to steady myself here and go in for the ball' then I knew I was down and the next thing I remember was the emergency staff putting a neck brace on me, so obviously I was knocked out for a few minutes.
"It was totally accidental and if it wasn't me then it could have been someone else," he continued, "you don't realise at the time but the lads said it was scary stuff.
"I'll be ringing Cressy to say thank you and also the Sheffield United medical staff for their help."
Eurosport
