Villa Fan’s Miraculous Survival Story Leads to Champions League Experience
Josh Moseley, a dedicated Aston Villa supporter from Bloxwich, is set to experience the thrill of the Champions League final at Wembley, thanks to a life-saving intervention by a fellow fan and UEFA’s recognition of their extraordinary story.
The Incident at Villa Park
Josh, a 24-year-old engineer and father-of-two, suffered a cardiac arrest on May 2 while attending a Europa Conference League match against Olympiacos at Villa Park. In a terrifying moment, Josh “basically died for five minutes” before receiving critical aid from Heidi Elliott, an ambulance technician from Leicestershire. Heidi, who was in the Holte End, quickly responded by administering CPR, effectively saving his life until medical professionals arrived.
Life-Saving Actions and Recovery
Following the incident, Josh had a mini-defibrillator implanted and has been recovering at home. His father, Jason, a retired police officer, recounted the surreal call from UEFA’s chief medical officer, Zoran Bahtijarevic, inviting them to the Champions League final as part of the Get Trained, Save Lives campaign.
Invitation to the Champions League Final
UEFA’s invitation is part of their ongoing efforts to promote CPR training across Europe. Josh and Heidi will be special guests at the final, where their story will be highlighted to emphasize the importance of learning CPR. This campaign, initiated in 2022, has already provided hands-on CPR training to over 3,500 individuals, including players, coaches, and referees.
Excitement and Advocacy
Josh expressed his amazement at the invitation and the rapid sequence of events that followed his near-death experience. “It is crazy. Everything which has happened to me over the past few weeks has been surreal. To now be going to the Champions League final is crazy. It will be a great experience,” he told the Express & Star.
While thrilled about the football, Josh’s main focus is on contributing to the Get Trained, Save Lives campaign. “Without CPR I would not be here, so I am really eager for as many people to know my story and understand how important it is to learn,” he emphasized.
West Midlands Connection and Future Aspirations
The Champions League final holds additional significance for Josh, with Stourbridge-born Jude Bellingham playing for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund. Despite his Villa loyalty, Josh expressed his admiration for Bellingham and his excitement about the match, hoping for a chance to meet the young star.
Josh Moseley’s journey from a life-threatening cardiac arrest to a celebrated guest at one of football’s biggest events is a powerful testament to the importance of CPR training.
His story, alongside Heidi Elliott’s heroic actions, serves as an inspiring reminder of the difference such knowledge can make. Through UEFA’s campaign, they hope to spread awareness and encourage more people to get trained in CPR, potentially saving countless lives in the future.
Villa Fan’s Miraculous Survival Story Leads to Champions League Experience
