Update on man airlifted to hospital from Hunstanton theatre

A witness to the events on Sunday night at the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton that saw a member of the audience airlifted to hospital has spoken about the night's events.

At the King of Pop tribute band featuring Navi performing as Michael Jackson a man in the audience showed signs of being ill and the show was halted.

He is seriously ill and was transported to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

The witness said: "I was there and I spoke to the theatre and the man is seriously ill at the N&N.

"The man was six seats from me and he was having a great time dancing in the aisles, telling everyone else to get up and dance, when all of a sudden he just dropped face down during Billie Jean.

"The man sitting next to him was an off duty paramedic and spotted the problem straight away.

"Without that man I’m sure he wouldn’t have made it.

"The MJ tribute saw what was happening quickly and stopped the band and said 'turn up the lights turn up the lights.'

"People rushed over and CPR was started by audience members within a couple of minutes whilst someone called the ambulance.

"Someone else ran for the defibrillator and brought it in.

If this poor man survives, then those quick responders in the audience should be named as heroes. They were amazing."

The defibrillator was installed at the Princess Theatre in October 2021 when patrons of the theatre by The Green and West Norfolk Council both played their part in purchasing the piece of equipment that can save someone's life if they are having a heart attack.

In Hunstanton there are defibrillators situated on the high street outside Boots, the community centre in Avenue Road, outside Sowerby estate agents and at the lifeboat station.

At the time of the installation of the defibrillator ex-policeman Stuart Dark, leader of West Norfolk Council, said: "I worked in the emergency services for a number of years and it is absolutely right to have something to save a life."