Pride of Australia: Rugby player stepped in to help save collapsed coach

FORMER Australian women’s rugby union coach Steve Hamson would have died on the side of a country footy field if not for the quick actions of a rival team player.

Andrew Frazer was on hand, using his uni training, to work on stricken rugby coach Steve Hamson until ambulances arrived. Picture: Nathan Edwards

FORMER Australian women’s rugby union coach Steve Hamson would have died on the side of a country footy field if not for the quick actions of a rival team player.

Mr Hamson’s heart stopped, his face turned blue and the Orange City first-grade coach collapsed facedown on the ground.

Luckily, trainee paramedic Andrew Frazer, 20, was just about to take to the field to play for Charles Sturt University but instead rushed to Mr Hamson’s aid.

Mr Frazer said he had no idea at the time that Mr Hamson was a former Wallaroos coach. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Rugby coach Steve Hamson.

With team­mate Jack Keppel and a nurse who was also nearby, Mr Frazer helped perform CPR and keep Mr Hamson alive until paramedics arrived.

“He had no pulse,” Mr Frazer recalled, saying the trio flipped Mr Hamson over, took off his shirt and took turns doing CPR.

“That went on for 10 minutes until paramedics arrived.”

Their efforts in August saved Mr Hampson’s life and have now earnt Mr Frazer a nomination for a Pride of Australia Medal.

Mr Frazer said he had no idea at the time that Mr Hamson was a former Wallaroos coach who had guided the national women team to the semi-finals of the 2014 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Frazer, who has since graduated­ as a paramedic, said: “I’d had doubts about becoming a paramedic­ but after going through this and seeing the results I know I can’t do anything else with my life.

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES IN OUR PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

“I ran into (Mr Hamson) at another­ footy match when he had recovered and we chatted for about an hour.”

Mr Hamson said he had just got out of the shower and was having a feed when he collapsed.

“I was having a sausage and next thing I know it was Monday,” he said.

“The efforts of the CSU students­ were outstanding. Monday I woke up and I felt like I’d been kicked in the chest by a mule.”

Mr Hamson’s wife Kate said she was “immensely grateful” for Mr Frazer’s help.

“They all did such a wonderful job, I can’t thank them enough,” she said.

Now in its 13th year, News Corp Australia’s Pride of Australia campaign­, sponsored by Imagine Cruising, celebrates everyday Australians doing outstanding things in their communities.

These awards will not be confined to a category but will instead seek eight of the very best leaders in each state. Nominations close on November 19 at prideofaustralia. com­­.au.