Cinemagoer nearly dies retrieving phone

A cinemagoer almost died after his head reportedly became wedged under an electric footrest while he tried to retrieve his mobile phone.

Vue Cinemas is investigating the incident, which happened at Star City in Birmingham last week.

Sources told the Birmingham Mail the man had bent down to retrieve a phone dropped in between the seats at the end of a film and became stuck. He suffered a cardiac arrest and his heart was restarted by ambulance crews.

A spokesman for Vue Cinemas said: “We are committed to helping and assisting those involved and respect their wishes for privacy.”

Birmingham city council said it had been notified and a health and safety investigation had begun.