Littleover pub landlord hailed a hero after actions saved life of 85-year-old

A PENSIONER who collapsed in a pub has hailed the quick-thinking landlord who saved his life a hero.

George Brooks, 85, was enjoying a meal with his family on Friday when he started to choke on his food.

He slumped on to the table in front of him, at the Half Moon pub in Littleover, and stopped breathing.

Landlord Paul Brailsford saw what had happened and reached into Mr Brooks' mouth.

He pulled out his false teeth before dislodging a lump of steak that was stuck in his throat.

He then performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the great-grandfather-of-three, reviving him as paramedics arrived.

Mr Brooks, who suffered a heart attack six weeks ago, was taken to Derbyshire Royal Infirmary where he underwent checks before being allowed home.

Yesterday, the former Rolls-Royce worker, of Dentdale Court, Alvaston, came face-to-face for the first time with the man who saved his life.

He said: “This man is a hero to me.

“I remember ordering steak and I couldn't have chewed it enough before I swallowed it because I remember it getting stuck.

“I tried to swill it down with a mouthful of beer but this made it worse.

“I must have passed out because all I remember after that was the ambulance and my wife, daughter and son-in-law being there.

“I am very grateful to Paul for all that he did as without him I wouldn't be here.”

Mr Brailsford, 49, of Severnvale Close, Allestree, has been in charge at the Half Moon for the past two years.

He said: “It was about 2.15pm on Friday and one of the waitresses came rushing into the kitchen saying that an older man had collapsed.

“I ran out and he was slumped over the table.

“He had stopped breathing and his lips and tongue were purple.

“I pulled out his false teeth, then reached for this piece of meat that was stuck in his throat before performing mouth-to-mouth on him.

“It didn't work at first but then he took a deep breath just as the ambulance crew arrived.”

Mr Brooks' wife of 63 years, Nora, a former cook at Alvaston Junior Community School, said she feared the worst when she saw her husband collapse.

The 84-year-old said: “I thought it was the end.

“I saw George have a stroke seven years ago and then a heart attack just six weeks ago and this looked far worse than both of them.”

At the time of the incident, Mr Brooks was with his daughter, Mary Palmer, and her husband, 64-year-old self-employed kitchen fitter, Alan Palmer.

He also has a granddaughter, 33-year-old Charlotte Palmer and three great-grandchildren George Palmer, 13, a pupil at Noel-Baker School, Jack, 11, and Katie, six, who attend Oakwood Junior School.

Mr Brooks said: “We don't go out very much, but I'll certainly go back to the Half Moon again so that I can enjoy a meal properly next time.”

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