DURING a recent check, Paul Fallon of the Crediton Boniface Rotary Club was dismayed to find that one of the life-saving defibrillators that the Rotary Club cares for, had gone missing.

The defibrillator, situated outside Cox’s Butchers beside A E Lee (Outfitters) went missing sometime between Saturday, May 13 and Thursday, May 18.

Paul said: “We raised the funds for the defibrillator a few years ago and donated it to the town.

“The defibrillator outside of Le Roys Funeral Directors further up the High Street has been used four times in emergencies.

“We have informed the South West Ambulance Service that the defibrillator is out of operation.”

According to the Ambulance Service more than 3,600 people are resuscitated by ambulance staff every year in the South West because they suffer a pre-hospital cardiac arrest.

For every minute that passes once in cardiac arrest, a person loses a further 10 per cent chance of survival, and with this, dramatic loss in chance of survival.

If anyone has any information relating to the missing defibrillator they can contact Paul Fallon on 07971 213344 or email: [email protected] .

Nora Parminter