Weymouth: V8 Hearts drummer in ‘back from the dead’ pub gig

Russell Poole, 59, was performing as a member of local rock band V8 Hearts at the Golden Lion in Weymouth when he suffered a heart attack.

His bandmate Andy Thomas performed life-saving CPR on him before emergency services arrived with a defibrillator and he was flown to Bournemouth Hospital by the air ambulance and underwent life saving surgery.

Russell, from Bridport, has since made a full recovery and V8 Hearts are set to return to the Golden Lion pub tonight, Thursday August 3, (9pm start) in a 'full circle' moment in what is being billed as the 'back from the dead' gig.

Brewery worker Russell said: “I would like to say a big thank you to the emergency services and to Andy, as it was him that performed CPR and without him, I wouldn’t be here.

“I am doing much better, and I have had a pacemaker fitted.

“I have always said that I would keep on doing it until I can’t any more.”

The medical emergency occurred around four songs into the band's set as Russell revealed ‘we normally play around 26 songs.’ The band were playing over the Coronation weekend in May when the incident happened.

He said: “We were doing a gig in Weymouth and the next thing I knew; I woke up in Bournemouth hospital.”

Russell's V8 Hearts bandmates are Andy Thomas and Glen Holloway.

The Dorset band play punk and rock songs from artists including David Bowie, The Cult and Foo Fighters.

V8 Hearts performing an outdoor gig (Image: Andy Thomas)

Andy said: “Russell was in an induced coma for three or four days and we got him back incredibly - he came back from the dead.

“We got back in touch with the pub where it happened once doctors told him he could play again, it’s a big full-circle event.”

Andy added: “It will be closure for us all.”

Russell, who works at Palmers Brewery in Bridport, was accompanied by his wife and Andy during a recent visit to thank life-savers at Henstridge Airfield, home of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

He explained that his wife was ‘distraught’ at the time of the incident, adding that ‘all is looking good now.’

The visit meant the trio had the opportunity to ‘to have a good look around the base and meet the crew.’

Rusell added: “It was definitely unexpected, I had no pains and I didn’t feel anything.”

Johnny Parr, landlord of the Golden Lion said: "The lead singer [Andy] saved his life. We're looking forward to seeing them again."

Johnny's 'wingman' at the Golden Lion Lawrence Holbert was at the gig the night Russell collapsed.

He said: "The band got into their fourth song and the drummer collapsed over his drums. 

"The lead singer gave him recuscitation and saved his life - It was amazing that it happened before my own eyes.

"All the customers applauded - It was really emotional."