What a HERO!
When All Whites legend Adrian Elrick collapsed playing bowls yesterday, he was lucky Sam Dockary was on hand to perform CPR and use a defibrillator to save his life. Elrick — part of the history-making All Whites 1982 World Cup final squad — paid tribute
“When I talk to Sam I will say thanks for saving my life. If he hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here.”
Ayoung bowls player has been hailed a hero after saving the life of All Whites legend Adrian Elrick. Elrick — a member of the national football team which made history by qualifying for the 1982 World Cup in Spain — collapsed while playing at Tauranga’s Bowls Matua green yesterday.
The 67-year-old — who played 92 times for the All Whites — had been taking part in the club’s men’s singles tournament.
The sporting legend’s life was saved by the quick actions of 22-yearold club member Sam Dockary who performed CPR, as well as using a defibrillator to bring Elrick back.
Talking to the Herald on Sunday last night from his Tauranga Hospital bed, Elrick said: “Sam is a great guy. When I talk to him I will say thanks for saving my life — if he hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here.
“I know I am very lucky. I am very appreciative to Sam — he’s brilliant.”
Elrick — who played for New Zealand between 1975-84 — said he had no recollection of his collapse.
“I didn’t know anything about it, I wasn’t feeling bad beforehand. I just went bang and that was it,” he said.
Elrick’s sister, Mandy Derecourt, also hailed Dockary’s actions.
“Sam is amazing — without him Adrian wouldn’t be here.”
Dockary sprinted into Bowls Matua’s HQ after Elrick collapsed, grabbed a defibrillator and rushed back to help his friend.
Other club members put Elrick in the recovery position and former registered nurse Helen Wreaks had worked to get his airways open.
“He had a pulse at first and was gasping for breath. Then he had no carotid pulse — that’s the pulse in his neck,” she said.
Dockary set up the defibrillator and gave Elrick a shock before starting CPR for about a minute and a half.
“Everyone was quiet, watching and waiting. We had 26 men there to play in the tournament.”
Eventually Elrick came around and was breathing more steadily, Wreaks said.
“Next thing he blimmin’ sat up and was talking,” she said.
Dockary yesterday played down his heroics.
“I didn’t do anything — all I did was push the button and do CPR, easy,” he said.
It was thanks to the Fire Service, who trained him in what to do and how to use the machine, he said.
Matua Bowls Club bought the defibrillator only a year ago and Wreaks said she never thought the day would come where it would be needed.
“It’s such a good outcome, if it had been a different ending it would have been a very sad day.”
The club had learned a good lesson and many of the members were asking for training in how to use a defibrillator.
Wreaks said Dockary was a “bright spark” who came into the club around a year ago.
“He has become such a good member, getting involved in everything he can and now he’s gone over and above.”