Police and council team up to install new defibrillator in St Ives

A new lifesaving defibrillator has been installed outside St Ives Police Station after officers helped save a man’s life.

In December neighbourhood officers, at the station in Broad Leas, received a Good SAM alert to assist 52-year-old Ewan Patrick who had collapsed, at his home in the town, and was suffering a heart attack.

The officers responded immediately, and took over CPR from his terrified partner, before handing over to paramedics who arrived eight minutes later.

St Ives Neighbourhood Sergeant Andy Caruana, who attended, said: “Happily, Ewan survived and is recovering well from the ordeal, but we know that isn’t always the case.

“Early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) during a cardiac emergency dramatically increases a patient’s chances of survival. At the time of Ewan’s incident, we did not have immediate access to an AED. The nearest public one was at The Norris Museum which was an impractical distance from Ewan.

“This wasn’t the first such call for the team at St Ives and the absence of an easily accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) was a source of concern and frustration so we reached out to partners for assistance and St Ives Town Council answered the call.”

St Ives Town Council were happy to fund the AED and last month, the Mayor of St Ives (2023-2024), Phil Pope, Sgt Caruana, PCSO Hannah Shepherd and Ewan officially opened the device.

Mr Patrick said: “I’m just glad something good has come of what happened to me and hopefully this new AED will go on to save other people.

“I am extremely thankful to Sgt Caruana and PCSO Shepherd who were first on the scene for helping my wife and saving my life.”

Sgt Caruana added: “Not only will the device provide additional protection to the community in the vicinity, but it can also be taken by officers when they support at medical emergencies further afield.

Mr Pope said: “The St Ives Town Council are delighted to have been able to install this defibrillator at the St Ives Police Station knowing how many lives it could assist in saving. It was a joy to meet Mr Patrick and to hear his story, particularly the part about how our wonderful St Ives police officers were first on the scene and saved his life.

“We are very grateful to our devoted police and all the blue light services for their dedication and hard work.”