'He was gone for a while' - swift response saves life of Fakenham racegoer

Going to Fakenham saved the life of racegoer Bob Burford – had he not made his usual trip to the races with his son Ian on Monday, he may well not still be here.

The pair go to most meetings and were by the parade ring when Burford suffered a heart attack just before the first race.

"Just as I'd said 'jockeys mount' and they were heading to get on the horses, this gentleman's son made me aware that his father was feeling dizzy and not right," explained Fakenham chief executive David Hunter.

Fakenham chief executive David Hunter is proud of his team's swift responseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I got in touch with one of our racecourse doctors, Peter Sampson, and two paramedics clambered over a fence to join him. Within 30-45 seconds of my being alerted he had two paramedics and a doctor dealing with him.

"His heart had completely stopped working by the time the paramedics got to him. The slick and professional work of our on-site medical team saved his life for sure."

Burford, 74, was flown to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and is reported in good spirits by his son, who reflected on his narrow escape.

Bob Burford: 'Amazingly, he's sitting up and winding the doctors up!'Credit: Ian Burford

"He was gone for a while," he said. "If we'd been at home and called an ambulance I think he'd have been long gone by the time they got there.

"It was a matter of luck we were where we were and the care was there. I'm 99.9 per cent sure he would not be here today if it wasn't for the care we got yesterday. They were amazing.

"My dad is looking good today. Amazingly, he's sitting up and winding the doctors up!"

There will be a treat waiting for Burford when he is discharged, courtesy of Christian Williams, who won the delayed second race on the card with Fifty Shades.

Christian Williams: generous gestureCredit: David Carr

"The race was delayed as the poor fellow was still on the floor," the trainer said.

"I saw on Twitter about him and I'm going to put the prizes in the post to them, there was a nice cup and a bottle of gin and a picture of the horse. He might not be well enough to go to Fakenham a week on Friday, but I'll leave him a couple of tickets if he can."

Burford reacted: "That's amazing, it's very kind of him. I don't go on Twitter very often but I've been overwhelmed with all the support and kind words we've had."

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