Defibrillator installed after police help save man

Earlier this month, Sgt Caruana and PCSO Shepherd were joined by town mayor Phil Pope and Ewan Patrick for the unveiling of the defibrillator

A new lifesaving defibrillator has been installed outside a police station after officers helped save a man's life.

Officers from St Ives police station administered CPR to Ewan Patrick in December after he collapsed at home and suffered a heart attack.

Cambridgeshire Police said there was no access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the time.

“I’m just glad something good has come of what happened to me," said Mr Patrick, who is recovering from the ordeal.

Sgt Andy Caruana and PCSO Hannah Shepherd were first on the scene and took over CPR from his wife, before paramedics arrived eight minutes later.

The nearest AED at the time was the Norris Museum which was an "impractical" distance from Mr Patrick, Sgt Caruana said.

He said the absence of a nearby AED was a source of "concern and frustration" but that St Ives Town Council helped provide it.

“Not only will the device provide additional protection to the community in the vicinity, but it can also be taken by officers when they support at medical emergencies further afield," he added.

Mr Patrick, 52, said he was "extremely thankful" to the officers first on the scene.