Singer does it his way to save man's life (From Dorset Echo)

Singer does it his way to save man's life

10:20am Wednesday 24th November 2010 in News By Laura Kitching

Brett McNally on stage at the Berkeley Hotel in Weymouth

A SINGER saved the life of an elderly man who collapsed on the dance floor of a Weymouth hotel during a festive Frank Sinatra performance.

Brett McNally, of Solid Gold Duo, sprung into action at The Berkeley Hotel on The Esplanade when the partygoer, aged in his mid 70s, fell to the floor during a rendition of My Way.

Brett, 28, who is newly trained in first aid, dropped his microphone and carried out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

He managed to get the elderly holidaymaker breathing again before paramedics arrived and whisked him off to Dorset County Hospital, where the man underwent an emergency operation to get a pacemaker fitted.

Brett, of Westham, said: “The gig was all going really well, then on my last song, an old man who was dancing with a lady suddenly collapsed and stopped breathing and was clinically dead.

“I stopped singing and it was lucky that I had just completed a first aid course because I commenced CPR and brought him back to life.

“It turned out that the hospital had to keep him in and do an emergency operation to put a pacemaker in.

“I feel quite proud of myself that I saved a life at a gig, although I did go into shock afterwards.”

The holidaymaker’s group, who are believed to be from Wales, were visiting the borough as part of Turkey and Tinsel tour.

Brett, who had completed a St John’s Ambulance course through his work in entertainment at the Russell Hotel and The Hotel Prince Regent just a few weeks before, said the man was expected to be able to leave hospital soon.

His wife and singing partner Terri McNally, 26, said: “It was a slow dance and the man was dancing with a woman when he fell backwards and landed right next to me.

“I bent down to see if he was all right and I could see he wasn’t.

“Everyone was saying ‘Put him in the recovery position’ but the man couldn’t breathe so it wasn’t the right thing to do.

“I saw the life go out of his face but luckily Brett was able to do CPR and brought him back.

“It was quite shocking actually.”

She added: “The organiser of the coach party told us that the man was doing really well and that he’s very grateful to Brett for saving his life.

“It’s inspired me to want to do a first aid course as we tend to perform for older people and it’s proved useful to have.

“We’re lucky it didn’t happen before Brett did his course.”