Defibrillator installed in memory of man's father
David Burton said he was "very proud" a defibrillator has been installed at Cavans Wood Park
- Published
The family of a man who died from a heart attack after being told there were no ambulances free to take him to hospital have set up a defibrillator in his memory.
Ken Burton, 82, from Cannock, Staffordshire, was told he needed an ambulance at an emergency GP appointment on 31 January but died hours later, while his son was driving him to hospital.
At the time, West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was under significant pressure dealing with long handover times at hospitals.
Now, the defibrillator has been unveiled at Cavans Wood Park estate in Huntington, along with a plaque dedicated to Mr Burton with the words, "everyone deserves a fighting chance".
A plaque dedicated to Ken Burton has also been fitted at the site, after the 82-year-old died in January
David Burton, said he was "very proud" the defibrillator had been installed at the site where his father lived.
"I know it’s exactly what my dad would have wanted," he said.
“It’s exactly what he would have done if he’d been given the chance.”
Donations of £1,800, gathered through an online fundraising page, enabled the installation.
Lifelong Birmingham City FC fan Ken Burton died in January
Mr Burton said he had launched the fundraiser because, like others, his dad had deserved a “fighting chance” of survival.
He said there were plans to host a session at a nearby pub to train local residents on how to use the life-saving equipment and to hand out leaflets with instructions.
“People within a one-mile radius will be able to use this as their nearest defibrillator," he added.
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- Published13 February
