Ian Rush thought he was ‘a goner’ in frightening health scare | Football | Sport

Liverpool icon Ian Rush has opened up about a harrowing health scare which left him fearing for his life. The Reds’ record goal-scorer fell seriously ill at his Chester home after being struck down by a severe bout of flu.

Rush, who also serves as an ambassador for Liverpool, was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital suffering from acute breathing problems. Speaking to The Mirror, the 64-year-old said: “It was frightening, and I honestly thought I wasn’t going to survive. I got up around 2am because I was struggling to breathe and went downstairs to make myself a cup of tea.

“Because I hadn’t been feeling too great anyway I had booked an appointment to see my doctor at 9am. It got to around 4am and I was feeling worse.

“Carol (Rush’s fiancée) called the ambulance, because then I was really fighting hard to breathe. They came within 10 minutes and stayed with me for an hour and a half and they were brilliant.

“They asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, but I had come round and was feeling a lot better so decided to remain at home. But within 10 minutes of them leaving I collapsed and so we had to phone again for an ambulance.

“This time the ambulance took a lot longer to arrive. I was on the floor gasping for breath. I honestly thought this was it, I was a goner.

“I was panicking, but while we were waiting for another ambulance Carol got me through it all by telling me how to try and calm down and breathe more easily. She was fantastic. When the ambulance people came I was on the floor completely white and looking as if I needed to be resuscitated.

“I needed oxygen to help me get through a terrifying experience. Eventually they got me into the ambulance to take me to the Countess of Chester hospital just a few miles away with the blue light activated. I was in AandE for 48 hours and in a general ward for three days after that before being allowed home. Carol stayed by my bedside every night without fail.”

Following his discharge from the Cheshire hospital, Rush posted an update on social media, thanking supporters for their kind messages as he recuperated at home. The former Wales striker also received backing from Liverpool Football Club, for which he expressed his appreciation.

He said: “Liverpool Football Club were fantastic and provided the support and love which made everything so much better. They are a family club after all, and that’s what counts in times like this. LFC went above and beyond.

“It certainly made me think more about life. There are three things – which will remain private – which I vowed to address as quickly as possible. Too often you always put things off. Well this was some reality check and I will sort things out without hesitation in 2026. It’s like I’ve had a second chance and I’m determined to make the most of it.”