'Saved my life': Ryan Campbell's staggering reveal after heart scare
Former Aussie cricketer Ryan Campbell has spoken out after being discharged from hospital in London, after doctors determined a heart attack was not the cause of his cardiac arrest.
Campbell left hospital on Monday night with expectations for a full recovery following the terrifying ordeal that had family and friends fearing the worst.
The 50-year-old was placed in an induced coma at NHS Royal Stoke University Hospital after collapsing at a playground with his children during a family holiday to the UK.
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There were grave fears for Campbell, the current coach of the Dutch cricket team, however the West Australian has made a remarkable recovery.
The Dutch Cricket Federation (KNCB) revealed on Monday that tests revealed Campbell did suffer a cardiac arrest but “categorically excluded the possibility of a heart attack”.
Doctors have ruled out a heart attack as the cause of the cardiac arrest, with tests also showing no damage to the heart.
While the reasons for the medical episode remain unknown, a delayed response to a respiratory tract infection suffered last November isn't being ruled out.
Campbell is now expected to return to his duties with the Dutch national side and could even be back to lead them in next month's home one-day international series against England.
Speaking on Monday night, Campbell thanked the medical team who looked after him and revealed how a bystander performed CPR on him until paramedics arrived.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank the amazing doctors and nurses at the Royal Stoke Hospital critical care unit for their incredible professionalism, kindness and compassion," he said.
"I also want to thank Beci Bassett, a parent at the adventure playground in Cheshire who immediately administered CPR.
"Her courage and quick intervention quite simply saved my life.
"I want to say a big thank you to all my well-wishers from around the world. The amount of messages of love and support my family and I received was extremely humbling."
Ryan Campbell thanks family and friends
Campbell also paid tribute to wife Leontina and friend Simon Millington.
“My wife Leontina was at my bedside hour after hour and kept our families informed of my progress,” he said.
“She dealt bravely with every development thrown her way. LT, I thank you and love you.
“LT was joined early on by my great mate Simon Millington, who flew out from Nevada to be there for her and her family and assisted them throughout the ordeal. For this I will be eternally grateful."
Campbell played two one-day internationals for Australia in 2002, filling in when Adam Gilchrist was absent to spend time with his newborn son.
A swashbuckling batter and a solid gloveman, he was a victim of Australia's golden era during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
During an illustrious 98-game first-class career between 1994 and 2006, Campbell starred for Western Australia with 6009 runs at an average of 36.31.
He played for Hong Kong during the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup at the age of 44 and has coached the Netherlands cricket team since April 2017.
with AAP
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