A defibrillator which was reported missing in Moray has been returned – after being used in an emergency situation.
The life-saving equipment was taken from outside Forres Community Fire Station this week.
It was installed on the station wall on Thornhill Place last year thanks to Keiran’s Legacy.
The charity shared an online appeal earlier today asking for the public’s help to track down the defibrillator.
Despite the missing item being reported to the police, it has now been revealed it was taken under instruction during a 999 call.
Simple explanation for missing defibrillator in Forres
Kerry Haggarty said she was shocked nobody had considered the defibrillator may have been removed for its intended use.
“The 999 operator was amazing,” she told the Press and Journal. “I was told to send someone to get the nearest defibrillator if possible, and my husband went straight there.
“We had no idea how to return it and were told to hold on to it. Imagine doing all you can to save someone only to see nasty comments on Facebook.
“It’s such a worrying time for everyone without that. Not once has anyone asked if the person it was taken for is ok.”
She confirmed the patients has been released from hospital and is recovering at home.
Keiran’s Legacy appealed for the public’s help to trace the defibrillator after making contact with the police and ambulance service to find out if it was being used in an emergency.
In a post shared online, they added: “We will now liaise with both services to improve communication to ensure this does not happen again, thus preventing any distress to anyone involved.
“The most important message is to ensure that if you need to use a defibrillator in the event of an emergency you go to the nearest one as directed by the ambulance and leave us to deal with returning the defibrillator.
“It is also important to #bekind and not assume the worst case scenario in these types of situations and we will strive to improve future communication channels.
The defibrillator has now been returned to its cabinet outside Forres Community Fire Station.
Sandra McKandie, from Keiran’s Legacy, has helped provide life-saving defibrillators across Moray. Here she is pictured at Elgin High School with headteacher Hugh McCulloch. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson.
Charity installing defibrillators across Moray
Keiran’s Legacy works with communities, public places, schools, sports facilities and emergency services to provide external defibrillators.
Their work has been extended to provide hands-on defibrillator training.
The charity was set up by Sandra and Gordon McKandie following the death of their son, Keiran, in a tragic crash in 2016.
Keiran McKandie, who was just 16 when he died, lived 10 miles away from Forres in Miltonduff.
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