“Hi Doc, I’m fine,” said Fabrice Muamba as he was gaining consciousness after his heart attack. Muamba immediately asked about his son, "Where's Josh."
When told the match was called off while the two teams were drawing 1-1, Fabrice asked why and his father said, 'Because of you'."
Patrice Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during his club’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Bolton Wanderers doctor Jonathan Tobin revealed it took 15 shocks to get the 23-year-old’s heart started after he collapsed on the pitch on Saturday – and was legally dead.
He also told how medics worked on Muamba for 48 minutes between his collapse and arrival at the hospital. Then it took another 30 minutes before his heart started beating again.
He said, “In effect, he was dead in that time.”
Dr. Tobin said: “I’m glad to say that the early signs of recovery have continued.”
I went in to see him last night, and he said ‘Hi, doc’”, said Dr. Tobin. “I asked him how he was and he said ‘Fine’.”
Dr Tobin said Muamba asked him what had happened.
“I explained to him what had happened. That’s the sort of level of communication I have had with Fabrice.”
Speaking at the hospital in Bethnal Green, East London, he told of his reaction when he first realised the player was in trouble.
He said all that was going through his head was “Oh my God, it’s Fabrice”.
Dr Andrew Deaner, the cardiologist and Tottenham fan who leapt from his seat in the crowd and rushed on to the pitch to help the player said: “If you’re going to use the term miraculous, I guess it could be used here.”
“I understand you’re a very good footballer,”said Dr Deaner.
“I try’”, replied Fabrice.
Fabrice asked why Bolton’s FA Cup tie at Spurs had been abandoned — and was told by his dad: “Because of you.”
The 23-year-old Bolton midfielder collapsed on the pitch just before half-time during the club’s FA Cup quarter-final with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Initial attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, his heart started beating on its own again later in hospital.
Maumba's fiancee Shauna said, "All your prayers are working people thank u so so much. Every prayer makes him stronger. To God be the glory.”
"Fabrice has felt every single prayer guys you've been INCREDIBLE!!!. Thank u all so so much I love and appreciate u all. Thank u again xx."
Bolton manager Owen Coyle, who has been by his player's side since the incident on Saturday, last night thanked people for their support and spoke highly of Muamba.
"We know what a humble person Fabrice is and the messages of support, the phone calls and the text messages from everyone in the Premier League, the Football League and beyond – which we’ve been passing on to the family – it is humbling to have that level of support.
“We are all hopeful of a positive outcome but as you can imagine it is a difficult situation. The family are bearing up as best they can. They are very positive people, as Fabrice is, and we’re all hoping he came through this.
“You can feel the strength, unity and togetherness they and as a family they are showing that. It gives them incredible energy.”
Bolton Wanderers will play against Blackburn at home on Saturday.
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