How rival player saved Tipton Town footballer's life on pitch
A Black Country footballer was minutes from dying on the pitch when he swallowed his tongue during a match.
Tipton Town captain Paul Henley was only saved by the actions of a quick-thinking opponent who managed to stop him choking on his tongue.
Centre half Mr Henley, 34, clashed heads with his team-mate Joe Hanson and was knocked out cold in the club's fixture against Bromyard at the weekend.
Club president John Cross said when he dropped to the floor one of Mr Henley's legs started 'kicking violently'.
It became clear that he had swallowed his tongue, but quick-thinking opposition player Lee Cox sprinted over, reached into Mr Henley's mouth and freed his airway.
Mr Henley, an engineer, told the Express & Star he was 'really lucky' to have survived the incident – and does not remember anything for minutes after he blacked out.
He said: "I don't know how long I was out for but do remember being in the ambulance.
"I'm really grateful to their player for his help and what he did for me. I've found him on Twitter and said thank you and would do the same if I saw him in person."
Mr Henley, who lives in Great Barr, has played for Tipton Town for seven or eight years 'on and off' and is the current club captain.
He also had to have six stitches in a wound on his chin and one stitch on his lip.
Mr Cross said: "The Bromyard player saved his life. Paul and Joe Hanson both attacked the same high ball in our penalty area and collided with each other.
"You could see straight away they were both in trouble. If the Bromyard player hadn't responded like he did then he would have died, as I don't think anybody else in the ground knew what to do.
"He was very lucky."
Mr Henley was taken to Hereford County Hospital by ambulance and released later that day. He has now been told he must watch his side from the sidelines for six weeks.
Mr Cross said: "The hospital said if it was as bad as we had described then Paul was very close to dying."
