A Troqueer family are fighting Dumfries and Galloway Council to install more defibrillators across the town
The nearest one was a two mile round trip.
Last updated 22nd Mar 2024
A family in Troqueer is making a desperate plea for more defibrillators in the town to ensure no others have to go through what they did.
Last Thursday, Neil Craik– father and grandad – died of a suspected heart attack.
The family attempted to save him with a defibrillator but had to drive just short of a mile to the nearest one, wait for 999 emergency services to reveal the code to take it and then drive back which took up valuable time.
Stuart Frew who is the son in-law is telling Greatest Hits Radio that if one was closer, it could have saved his life.
“Our defib closest to us is on New Abbey Road which is far too far away for anybody up here. The whole of central Troqueer has nothing.
"This could potentially save lots of lives, it could have helped us on the night of question. Who knows? We’ll never know.”
The family want any other family to avoid experiencing this and are urging Dumfries and Galloway Council to look into installing more.
“It could be a friend, a neighbour, a loved one – you never know. It would benefit thousands. It just takes that one person to fall into that unfortunate event where they’ve had a heart attack and a defib could be what actually helps them.” says Stuart.
“At the end of the day, the council need to actually get their act together because it’s other people’s lives they’re playing with. They maybe want to make our roads dangerous with potholes but when it comes to people in their homes, they need to act now.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council have been asked for comment in response to this.
Over the last few days, the family have started a fundraising campaign to buy a new defib machine that is proposed to be placed in central Troqueer.
They announced on Facebook that they’ve secured a supplier and first funding for it to be fitted but are waiting on approval from the council.
They’re hoping the money raised will see other machines installed in other parts of the town.