Vue Cinemas launches probe after man suffers cardiac arrest in ‘freak’ accident
Sources told the Birmingham Mail the incident happened after the man bent down to retrieve a phone.
A cinema chain has launched an investigation after a film-goer whose head reportedly became wedged under an electric foot-rest suffered a cardiac arrest.
Vue Cinemas said a full investigation was under way into an incident at Birmingham’s Star City leisure complex last week, which saw the man’s heart re-started by ambulance crews.
Sources told the Birmingham Mail that the “freak” accident happened after the man bent down to retrieve a phone dropped in between the Gold Class seats at the end of a film.
The report said the victim, who was with his partner, was only freed after the footrest was broken by those trying to help him.
An ambulance service spokesman said: “Crews arrived on scene to find a man in cardiac arrest with bystanders having already commenced CPR.
“Ambulance staff took over and administered advanced life support, successfully managing to restart the man’s heart.
“He was then transported to Heartlands Hospital for further treatment.”
A spokeswoman for Vue Cinemas said: “We can confirm an incident took place on Friday 9 March at our Birmingham cinema, of which a full investigation is under way.
“We are committed to helping and assisting those involved and respect their wishes for privacy and no publicity.”
Mark Croxford, head of environmental health at Birmingham City Council, said the authority had been notified of the incident and a health and safety investigation had begun.
“We are unable to comment further at this stage, as the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
