A 19-YEAR-OLD medic who battled in vain to save the life of popular footballer Ryan Passey after he was stabbed at a Stourbridge nightclub has been awarded a top bravery award.

Luke Adams, an off-duty student paramedic at the time, fought a desperate battle to try and save 24-year-old Ryan after he was stabbed in the chest in the former Chicago's nightspot on August 6 last year.

Surrounded by clubbers, Luke fought in difficult circumstances to try and give Ryan, from Quarry Bank, a chance of survival after he plunged to the floor in the darkened and busy club.

Tragically - self-employed window cleaner Ryan, who had played for Stourbridge FC's youth team, died from the single stab wound which penetrated his heart.

Luke, however, who is now a fully qualified West Midlands Ambulance Service paramedic, has been hailed a hero for his efforts to try and save Ryan and he has been awarded a prestigious Royal Humane Society for actions on that night.

Andrew Chapman, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said: "Luke was a true hero. He fought, with no thought for his own safety, to save Ryan Passey’s life in what had turned into a very dangerous environment. Sadly despite his efforts Ryan did not survive, but no-one could have done more than Luke to give him the best possible chance of survival.

“It must have been a frightening ordeal. The nightclub was crowded with more than 700 people in it. The club lights were off with music playing, strobe lights and people still dancing as Luke, unaided, administered CPR in the midst of the dancers.

“Friends of the victim were upset and aggressive but despite this Luke persevered for 20 minutes until an ambulance arrived and then he continued helping the paramedics who carried out emergency surgery on the dance floor.

"He did everything possible to save the victim."

Stourbridge News:

Ryan Passey, who was fatally stabbed in Chicago's in Stourbridge on August 6, 2017

West Midlands Ambulance Service also praised Luke's actions and he was also presented with a Chief Officers Commendation at the ambulance trust’s Long Service and Excellence Awards earlier this year for his bravery. 

A spokesman for the service said: “Out of nowhere, Luke found himself in the middle of a horrific and crowded scene.

"Despite all of that, his instincts kicked in immediately, beginning first aid and basic life support whilst waiting for ambulance crews to arrive.

"Once crews were on scene, he continued to give invaluable support in an attempt to give the man the best possible chance of survival.

"Luke demonstrated completely selfless actions that night in an incredibly difficult situation.”

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the Royal Humane Society award but it is expected to take place in the near future.

The roots of the society stretch back more than two centuries.

With the Queen as its patron and Princess Alexandra as its president, it is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life.

It was founded in 1774 by two of the day's eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan, to promote techniques of resuscitation.

Over the years it has evolved and to date it has made more than 200,000 awards.