A Spectator Lost Consciousness at High School Soccer Match... Referee's Calm Response Saved the Day

Quick Emergency Response to Spectator Collapsed During Game
Referee Says, "It Was Naturally the Right Thing to Do"

It was recently revealed that referees calmly responded during a high school soccer tournament match to save a spectator who had lost consciousness.

According to the Korea Football Association on the 13th, during the match between Yesan Chungnam Yesan Sapgyo FC and Gangwon Chuncheon City Sports Council in Group 6 of the Geumgangdae National High School Soccer Tournament held on the 11th at Gangneung Gangbuk Public Stadium in Gangwon, a man suddenly collapsed in the stands opposite the main booth.

Referees Shim Seok-woo and Kim Yoo-young, who were waiting for the next match, noticed this and informed the head referee Lee Seung-jun, who immediately stopped the game and began emergency measures.

Referees Shim Seok-woo (left) and Kim Yoo-young, who saved a spectator who lost consciousness and collapsed with calm response. [Image source=Korea Football Association]

Referee Kim Yoo-young first secured the airway of the collapsed man, and referee Shim Seok-woo performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Thanks to the referees' prompt response, the spectator regained consciousness and was transported to a nearby hospital by ambulance that arrived four minutes later.

Head referee Lee Seung-jun explained, "In the middle of the second half, when the ball went out of the ground, I looked toward the second assistant referee and saw a spectator had collapsed. The murmuring of the people around felt unusual, so I immediately stopped the game and ran over there."

Referee Shim Seok-woo said, "I have experience performing CPR on collapsed players while officiating middle school leagues and amateur matches. I was not flustered and just did what I naturally had to do."

The Football Association conducts mandatory CPR training once a year for referees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.