LIVES could be saved in Highbridge as a new defibrillator was installed at Apex Park last week.

The equipment, an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is available for use on someone having a suspected heart attack. 

It has been installed on the wall of the park’s office building in the Marine Drive car park.

The equipment is housed an eye-catching tamper proof, yellow box.  Crucially, the defibrillator fitted is a speaking-instructional device meaning no medical training is required to use it.

In the event of an emergency, people should call 999 and the emergency call handler will advise of the AED’s location (if the caller is not already aware of it).

The call handler will then provide a code to access the equipment from its cabinet at the same time as they dispatch an ambulance. The call handler and the device then talk the user through what to do.

Burnham-on-Sea Harriers were granted funds from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, and received generous donations from the Burnham and Highbridge Parkrun community to buy the AED and it's special Storage Cabinet.

Reg Huxtable from Burnham and Highbridge parkrun said: “When we originally toyed with the idea of an AED in Apex Park and the costs involved it was somewhat daunting. However, once we started the ball rolling the extreme generosity of our councils and the people of Burnham and Highbridge parkrun became very apparent, resulting in completion of this successful project”.

Sedgemoor District Council paid for the equipment to be installed. 

A spokeman said: “Defibrillators are vital pieces of equipment that can save someone’s life.

"This addition to the park is potentially of massive benefit to Apex’s many users and the surrounding area.

"We would like to thank the Burnham and Highbridge parkrun team for raising the funds for the defibrillator”.