Heroic Harry saves life of unconscious rival after dramatic polo match collision

By Emma Reynolds



Quick-thinking: Prince Harry rushes to the rescue of Bash Kazi after the U.S. businessman was knocked unconscious after colliding with another rider during a polo match in Campinas, Brazil

These dramatic pictures show how Prince Harry came to the rescue of an injured rival polo player during a match in Brazil on his recent tour.

The quick-thinking 27-year-old leaped from his horse to help U.S. businessman Bash Kazi, who had been knocked unconscious after a dramatic collision during the charity match in Campinas last month.

Harry gently put Mr Kazi into the recovery position, while other riders looked on.

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Selfless: The Royal, left, had leapt off his horse and into action after Mr Kazi collided with another rider at the charity fundraiser

The British Red Cross said the Prince's quick-thinking actions could have saved his opponent's life.

A grateful Mr Kazi told the Washington Post: 'Prince Harry was the first one off his horse, doing the right thing, turning me over to make sure I regained consciousness.'

He called the royal 'a fabulous person' and 'such a gentleman' for helping him.
The amateur polo player was taking part in the match organised by Prince Harry when his horse collided with another.

'I remember waking up with these piercing blue eyes looking at me,' he said.
Mr Kazi is thought to have had minor concussion, but was later given the all clear after a CT scan.

The 41-year-old, who has played polo as an amateur for 25 years, had been recruited for the star-studded match by Ralph Lauren model and professional polo player Nachos Figueras.


Easy does it: Harry slowly rolls Mr Kazi into the recovery position, while the horses and riders look helplessly on

A little help from his friends: As Harry stays with Mr Kazi, several other players come to his aid as the horses are kept back

The Washington-based defense contractor, who splits his time between Georgetown and Southern California, was on the opposing to the Prince - both mixed with pro and amateur players.

He said: 'I think I had a minor concussion but I’ve since had a CT scan and everything is clear.'

Mr Kazi now hopes to lure Harry back to America for another charity match, adding: 'I look forward to squaring off with him in the U.S.'

The game - which the prince's team won 6-3, was a fundraiser for Sentebale, Harry's South African charity, which he co-founded in 2006.

It was the third Sentebale Polo Cup, raising money and awareness for the charity's work helping orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho, South Africa.

He described his first tour on behalf of the Queen as ‘emotional’ and ‘amazing’, but stressed that his duties as an Apache helicopter pilot – which may see him deployed to Afghanistan later this year – come first.

He spoke of his and Prince William's military duties after the match, on the final afternoon of his solo trip to mark his grandmother’s Diamond Jubilee, which took in Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica.


He's all right: Mr Kazi leaves the polo pitch with the prince by his side after the accident


'Gentleman': A grateful Bash Kazi embraces the 27-year-old prince following the accident. He was given the all clear after a CT scan

Thumbs up: The Prince's first aid efforts after the collision didn't seem to put him off his game - his team won the match 6-3

He said: 'I’m in a very privileged position, so I’ll use my title to help out where I can, but at the same time, we’ve both got our military careers, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.

‘I will help out with my grandmother whenever she needs me. The Jubilee is the Jubilee and family comes first.’

He added: ‘I tell you what, it’s been an emotional trip. I’m absolutely exhausted but the warmth of the reception that we’ve received from every single country that we’ve been to has been amazing.

‘I personally had no idea how much warmth there was towards the Queen – to me that’s been very humbling, and I was actually quite choked up seeing the way that they’re celebrating her 60 years.’

The story of Harry's bravery comes amid speculation he could be reunited with ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, after she ended her fling with art dealer Blaise Patrick.


Playful prince: Harry also found time to play rugby and volleyball on the Praia De Flamengoe in Rio De Janeiro during his tour of Brazil


Wrong prince! Harry inspects a mask bearing the face of his brother Prince William before he ran a Sport Relief Mile in Rio, left, and also got to grips with some beach volleyball, right, during the tour




source: dailymail