Radio legend Rex Leverington in hunt for lifesaving good Samaritan

An SA broadcasting legend says he would not be alive to tell this story if it wasn’t for a stranger’s quick-thinking on Grote Street.

Radio legend Rex Leverington might not have been around to tell the story of how be survived a heart attack in the middle of Grote St last week if it weren’t for a quick-thinking stranger.

Now, he wants to find the man in question to tell him one thing.

“I’d love to buy them a big lunch and just thank them from the bottom of my new heart for saving my life,” Mr Leverington said.

The former radio identity, who through his long career had appeared on station 5DN, 5KA, 5AD and 5AA, had finished lunch with friends and former colleagues Frank Sebastyan and Bob Byrne last Thursday when he collapsed while crossing to road at the Central Market intersection.

Radio legend Rex Leverington rests and recuperates at Goolwa after a near-death experience. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“I grabbed him to break his fall but he had collapsed and lost consciousness,” Mr Sebastyan said.

“I went into a panic to be honest, I didn’t know how to react or what to do.”

A young man passing by was quick to administer first aid, turning Mr Leverington on his side and massaging his heart before an ambulance arrived on the scene.

“It all happened so fast. I think it was about seven minutes before the ambulance arrived and then this man was gone. I didn’t manage to get his name or his details or anything which I am kicking myself over now,:" Mr Sebastyan said.

Mr Leverington was treated at the RAH and diagnosed with a low heart.

“After I collapsed in Grote St and finally got up to the cardiac ward, I blacked out and my heart stopped for 30 seconds which was a bit scary,” he said. “They were going to put the pacemaker in the next morning, but ended up doing it that night. Everyone had gone home, but they recalled them all back in. I really can’t say enough about the Royal Adelaide Hospital. They are amazing there.”

But while he’s grateful to the staff at the RAH, Mr Leverington, who is now on his way to a full recovery, really wants to reconnect with his unsuspecting hero.

“We have no idea who it was but he’s absolutely responsible for saving my life.”

Do you know Rex’s good Samaritan? Let us know and we will put you in touch. [e-mail]