How defibrillator saved former Wolves director Kevin Threlfall's life
Witty, relaxed and straight talking, it is impossible to imagine that former Wolves director Kevin Threlfall was close to death a year ago.
The Supercigs and One Stop entrepreneur was lifeless for almost an hour when he suffered a cardiac arrest on the sixth hole at South Staffs Golf Club in Tettenhall.
Fourteen months on, the 66-year-old is a picture of health.
"I am a very lucky man," he says sitting in his office at his Perton home.
"I am very thankful and now when I am on a lovely holiday with my family or spending time with loved ones, I reflect on how different it could have been."
He owes his life to the actions of fellow golfers Steve Woodward and Martin Knowles – both first aid trained former policeman – who immediately started CPR.
Shop manager Ian Guest grabbed the club's defibrillator and went to join the desperate battle to revive the casualty.
Their quick thinking stopped Mr Threlfall's brain from dying before ambulance crews reached the scene around ten minutes after he collapsed.
The paramedics then tried for at least half an hour to revive him without success before finally getting a pulse as he was being taken by ambulance to New Cross Hospital. The next morning he was sitting up in bed and talking. Today, Mr Threlfall backs the Express & Star's #heartsafe15 campaign to raise money for 25 defibrillators in Wolverhampton.
He said: "Technically I died for around 40 minutes. If it had not been for the action of Steve, Martin, and Ian, I would have been gone.The defibrillator was key. Personally, I think without it I would not be here today."
On Friday, our partners AEDdonate are encouraging businesses to take part in Wear Something Crazy Day.
Businesses or groups wanting to get involved and wanting further details can call AEDdonate on 01785 472 224.
You can also give by text message by texting 'AEDW50' to 70070 followed by how much you want to donate. Alternatively, you can make an online donation at by going to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wolverhampton-aed-campaign. We are also encouraging people to engage in the campaign by tweeting us with the hashtag #heartsafe15.
