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Dover player swallows his tongue

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Lee Browning
Lee Browning

Dover Athletic striker Lee Browning was taken to hospital during his side's game with Tonbridge Angels on Saturday when he swallowed his tongue after being smashed in the face with the ball.

Browning stopped breathing for 40 seconds after being hit by a cross from Tim Olorunda and an ambulance was called to take him to Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells. The game was held up for 25 minutes as the ambulance was driven onto the pitch.

After tests, Browning made a full recovery and was later discharged.

Browning's injury started a series of incidents which led to 43 minutes of added time being played at the end of the first half.


Video: watch the moment Lee Browning swallowed his tongue - and the dramatic rescue at the top of this page

Listen to Dover sports therapist Andy Hyland tell us how he got Lee Browning breathing again.


The referee, Mr S. Child, pulled a calf muscle and had to retire. One of the linesmen replaced him and an appeal was made to the crowd until a qualified linesman came forward to take over running the line.

Then both managers, Dover's Andy Hessenthaler and Tonbridge's Tommy Warrilow, were sent to the stands for squaring up after Whites' central defender Olly Schulz was sent off for a foul on Tonbridge striker Carl Rook.

On the pitch, Dover won 2-0 with goals from Lassana Sidibe and a penalty from John Wallis. The penalty was awarded after Tonbridge keeper Lee Worgan fouled Wallis and was sent off.

The win meant Dover Athletic ended the season with their highest ever number of points - 104.

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