Dad has two heart attacks and stroke after gym session

A rugby coach "survived the un-survivable" after having two heart attacks and a stroke within days of collapsing following a gym session.

Pontypool RFC team manager Ryan Thomas was rushed to hospital by his wife Victoria after falling ill on 7 November.

Mr Thomas is still at the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, and unable to walk.

Mrs Thomas said it had been "horrific" but wanted to get her husband home so he could play with their three-year-old son.

Mr Thomas was training with members of the rugby team when he became "grey and clammy" and suffered chest pains, before being rushed to hospital by his wife.

"I went to get Ryan a drink of water in the waiting area and when I returned he was slumped in the chair and making a strange noise and was unresponsive, so I screamed for help," she said.

"Medical staff took him straight in and started to work on him."

Mr Thomas had 21 defibrillator shocks to the heart to restore a normal rhythm after his heart stopped for an hour, before being placed in an induced coma.

While Mr Thomas was in intensive care, he had a second heart attack three days later, before a CT scan revealed he had also experienced a serious stroke.

Doctors had warned further treatment was a huge risk that could have led to a catastrophic bleed and Mrs Thomas was told it was unlikely her husband would survive.

"The consultant explained to me there was a huge risk, and it was very unlikely he'd pull through.

"I said, 'are you telling me he's going to die?', and he said 'more than likely, yes.'

"It was absolutely horrific."

"All that went through my mind is what am I going to tell Teddie and I'm going to be a widow at 34."

Doctors fitted a stent after the first cardiac arrest and another following the second.

Mr Thomas then spent five weeks in an induced coma, but cannot walk and there is no movement in his left arm.

Mrs Thomas said doctors warned his quality of life could be affected by the stroke, but she was hopeful he would make a full recovery.

"He looks well and his speech isn't affected, I know he'll be driven to walk again as quickly as possible because he'll want to be up and about to play with Teddie."

Mr Thomas has also overcome a number of infections but will undergo rehabilitation once he has been transferred to Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Caerphilly county.

He had played for Pontypool and retired through injury but had taken over as team coach at the start of the season.

Mrs Thomas said her husband had been anxious since an ex-teammate and close friend died after a heart attack at the age of 33 last year.

"Ryan is really fit and healthy, he rarely drinks and goes to the gym regularly, looking after himself with a good diet," Mrs Thomas added.

"I can't believe this could happen to someone who is fit and healthy."

Mrs Thomas said she had been overwhelmed by the support on a fundraising page, which has received £27,000 in donations.

"Ryan's so highly thought of and liked and is very popular and very well known. I know he's my husband, but he's genuinely such a kind genuine person."

She said the rugby club had also given financial support and help.

Tom Hancock, head coach of Pontypool RFC said: "Seeing Ryan and his family struggle put our values to the test and gave us an opportunity to show how much Ryan means to us and how much we value him.

"He is a special person and has been instrumental in helping so many others connected to the club.

"It's important to us that we support his wife and child because we all take comfort in knowing that if we were in the same boat, the group would circle and gather around and provide support and strength.

"We're delighted he is getting better and can't wait to see him back in our environment."