Sydney FC fan Dr Stephen Gatt saved by quick-thinking heroes after choking on chicken nugget
Two chicken nuggets lodged in his throat nearly brought the distinguished life of Dr Stephen Gatt to a premature close, but the long-time Sydney FC fan got a second chance thanks to a series of heroes.
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No action on the field in the A-League will match the drama and teamwork that unfolded in the stands at Jubilee Stadium last Saturday night, and literally turned tragedy into triumph.
Two chicken nuggets lodged in his throat nearly brought the distinguished life of Dr Stephen Gatt to a horrible and premature close, but the long-time Sydney FC fan’s life was saved by the quick-thinking of a series of heroes.
“I was on the way out, and now I’m on the way back in again, all thanks to some wonderful people,” said Dr Gatt who retired last year but remains Associate Professor at The Prince of Wales Hospital and who has now made a complete recovery from his own near-death experience.
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The irony of a world expert on anaesthesia slowly losing consciousness wasn’t lost on the 67-year-old, who choked on the chicken nuggets as he took his seat before the game with Adelaide. As he went into cardiac arrest and the alarm was raised, two on-duty medics in the stadium came running to begin CPR.
A Sky Blues member sitting nearby – a nurse who had just finished her shift at hospital, and also happens to be the sister of Sydney midfielder Anthony Cacares – came to help, as did the doctor engaged as team medical officer by Adelaide United.
As paramedics arrived to administer defibrillation, fans sitting around Dr Gatt and his party used banners to erect a shield to afford privacy to those trying to save a life.
Several days later, Dr Gatt is marvelling at being on the receiving end of such prompt medical care, and those involved can reflect on what unfolded.
“There is no better feeling than working as a team to save someone, it's humbling to be able to work with different crews from police and ambulance to unite and help someone in need,” said Arnika Martus, who is employed at the stadium by Colbrow Medics and was one of the first on the scene.
Now Dr Gatt feels even more warmly towards a club he started supporting from its very first matches and whose home games he and a group of friends attend diligently.
“The cap I was wearing was from 06-07, but the T-shirt which got torn open for the defibrillation was one of the new ones,” he said.
“Rhyan Grant and Luke Brattan came to see me today with a new one, and a signed shirt, but I think I might wear the torn one with a Superman T-shirt underneath.”
FOORD’S PIECE OF HISTORY
Matildas and Sydney FC star Caitlin Foord could make history becoming the first Australian woman to be purchased by a European club, with English powerhouse Arsenal circling the Aussie forward.
Foord looks set to link up with Australian coach Joe Montemurro and go toe-to-toe with fellow Matildas stalwart Sam Kerr, who plays for Chelsea and Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who lines up for West Ham.
Should the deal go through, Foord will become the first Australian to have a transfer fee paid for her services by an overseas club.
Sydney FC CEO Danny Townsend confirmed a transfer offer was received for the player.
“We have been in contact for a few weeks now, since before Christmas,” he said.
“An offer has come through from Arsenal for Caitlin Foord.”
Foord has won 77 caps for Australia scored 17 goals and was on the scoresheet in Australia’s 3-2 win over Brazil at the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.
She was named in the Matildas’ squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers in Wuhan, China, which take place in February. She will skip the training camp this month in Sydney and link up with the squad before the tournament.
FOOTBALL STEPS UP FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
As millions of dollars are raised to aid the recovery of communities afflicted by the bushfires, football is doing its bit.
Among the donations, auctions and ticket proceeds coming from each A-League club, Sydney FC is auctioning off a host of memorabilia – including the boots with which Milos Ninkovic scored the winning penalty in the 2017 grand final, and championship medals from both the A-League and W-League title wins last season.
Details of the auction can be found at www.sydneyfc.com.
Western Sydney Wanderers have already raised more than $50,000 for the Australian Red Cross’ Disaster Relief and Recovery fund, thanks to fundraising by the RBB and club sponsors, and the next two rounds of the A-League will be dedicated to the bushfire appeal.
AGE OLD QUESTION
Argentine legend Gabriel Batistuta was pictured with Perth Glory owner Tony Sage this week, and a Perth newspaper columnist speculated that he hoped they were talking about Batistuta joining Glory.
Small but important detail: Batistuta turns 51 next month.