Hamilton man's death scare at T in the Park

Jul 15 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON grandfather has thanked the emergency services after their quick thinking saved his life at T in the Park.

Fifty-four-year-old Robert Kirkland suffered a heart attack at lunchtime on Friday while working at the Balado festival.

The Meikle Earnock man was quickly examined by St Andrew’s ambulance workers before being rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee - where he underwent emergency surgery for a blocked artery.

After spending the full weekend in hospital, Robert returned home on Monday evening, where he is now recuperating, with wife Sandra, daughter Laura and grandson Craig.

Robert, who works for a waste management and removal firm had spent the past month installing bins and clearing up at the site.

The heart attack happened as he performed a final tour of the site with colleagues on Friday, just as thousands of revellers turned up for the weekend of music.

He told the Advertiser this week that he feels lucky to be alive.

He said: “In effect, I was the first major casualty of the weekend, I think.

“It was the first day of the event and I was taking a walk round the whole site, just to make sure everything was in place and that we were ready for the weekend.

“They were performing sound checks on all the stages at the time, and a lot of people were already arriving at the site.

“I began to feel as if I had heartburn. It was mild and more of an irritation. A colleague gave me a mint and the pain went away.

“I went for a sandwich and a coffee and everything seemed to be okay.

“But as I got on to the crew bus later to do one last site tour, I felt this pain in my chest.

“It was like someone had hit me on the torso with a sledgehammer. I knew something was wrong.”

Robert was immediately given an ECG scan by ambulance workers, who informed him that he was in the middle of a heart attack.

He explained: “I was rushed up the motorway at about 100 miles an hour, and I had surgery right away, as one of the arteries into my heart was blocked.

“I was allowed to leave hospital and am now on a six-week rehabilitation programme at home.

“At the time I was joking with the staff at the festival, saying that it was good practice for them, and that everything was in working order.

“However, it wasn’t until later, when I was in the hospital, that I reflected on how serious it was, and how lucky I am to be alive.

“I have nothing but praise for the staff at the site. There were thousands of people involved in the ‘build’ for T in the Park, so there was a lot going on.

“But they managed to help me out straight away. I have no doubt that these ambulance workers saved my life.

“I would just like to say thanks to them all. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”

At the weekend, around 85,000 people attended T in the Park over three days at Balado, near Kinross.

One 24-year-old man died after suffering from a suspected asthma attack, while one 19-year-old male was in hospital after suffering a fall.

Two male revellers were also injured after suffering stab wounds.

A woman was also sexually assaulted at the site on Saturday night.