Archive image by Martin Perin. — © Geert Tresignie (GTG)
In and against ex-club Waremme, with brother Pierre in the starting line-up, Maaseik libero Martin Perin (21) suddenly collapsed in the third set. Mosquito and ambulance quickly arrived on the scene. According to the first reports from our contacts on site, the defibrillator saved his life and he was taken to the hospital in Waremme when he was conscious.
READ ALSO. Volleyball player Martin Perin (19) was resuscitated after cardiac arrest: “It dawns on me that I could have died there”
Let’s look back to October 1, 2022: Maaseik libero Martin Perin suddenly collapses due to a heart attack during a practice match visiting Aalst. Perin was resuscitated at the scene and stabilized at the hospital. After several months of rehabilitation, Perin returned to the Maaseik main force in January 2023. With a defibrillator, that is.
“The realization that I had died for a few seconds and had come back to life only occurred a day or two later. Then I feared for my career for a moment. That was a difficult period. For myself, but also for my family and friends. Although that experience did strengthen me. Physically and especially mentally. There is no point in looking back too much, you have to move forward in life.” Perin stated this to our newspaper a few days ago in the run-up to the European confrontation with Fenerbahce.
Martin in green during the match against Waremme. — © Karel Hemerijckx
Parents in the stands
Today, that defibrillator appears to have saved his life. Especially in the confrontation with his brother Pierre, who has starred at Waremme this season and has been associated with a transfer to the Maaslanders for several weeks. His mother and father, also chairman of Waremme, were also spectators of the unfortunate event. With a 12-20 score in set three (Maaseik had also taken the first two sets on board, partly thanks to excellent work by his Liège libero), Perin suddenly collapsed lifelessly between two points. The player was transferred to the hospital in Liège after a quick medical intervention and to loud applause.
