Drama before the derby

Stadium emergency: Provincial council helped with resuscitation!

Mission for rescue workers in Graz.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Shortly before kick-off for the GAK v Sturm derby, a dramatic emergency occurred at the Merkur Arena in Graz - which is why the match was kicked off later. According to the "Krone" newspaper, a 91-year-old collapsed - and was resuscitated by regional health councillor and emergency doctor Karlheinz Kornhäusl, among others!

Dramatic scenes unfolded in the Merkur Arena at around 4.30 pm. A 91-year-old GAK supporter collapsed between the rows of seats. Emergency services immediately rushed to the motionless man - including Styrian Health Minister Karlheinz Kornhäusl, himself a doctor. In an interview with "Krone", which reached him on his cell phone, the ÖVP politician described the anxious minutes in the stands: "Paramedics and two doctors immediately rushed to the patient, and I also helped my colleagues with the resuscitation."

Provincial councillor Karlheinz Kornhäusl immediately provided first aid in the stadium.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Kornhäusl: "I hope he will recover"
Resuscitation was carried out for around 30 minutes, "then we handed the man over to the emergency paramedics". He was taken to the LKH: "I hope he will recover," emphasizes Kornhäusl. "But I don't want to make a big deal of my mission!"