EMERGENCY services have praised the efforts of three first-aiders at a Sunday league football match for saving the life of a young goalkeeper.

The drama began three minutes into the fixture between Vigo Village and Spring Vale at the Vigo RFC ground in Harvel Road, Vigo, near Gravesend. Vigo goalkeeper Andy Rolfe, 25, collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.

First-aiders for the North Kent Sunday League, Gary Baring, 50, from Istead Rise, John Wills, 40, from Greenhithe and Steve Martin, 55, from Northfleet, rushed to his aid.

During a 20-minute resuscitation ordeal Mr Rolfe was brought back three times before paramedics arrived and took over.

Mr Rolfe was taken by air ambulance to Maidstone Hospital where his condition is said to be critical but stable.

A Kent Air Ambulance spokesman said: “It was a fantastic team approach. The people who attended first need to be lauded for their work.”

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