A FAMILY has thanked the town council for investing in defibrillators across the town after one was used to save the life of Kevin Scott, who suffered a cardiac arrest in front of his children at home over the Easter weekend.
Kevin was looking after his children on Easter Saturday when he collapsed in front of his 10-year old daughter, Aiyana, who then bravely alerted her older sister, 13-year old Elysia who was outside playing. Both girls alerted neighbours, whilst calling their mum Katrina, who was out for the evening.
Whilst on the phone to the 999 operator Elysia was told to retrieve a defibrillator which was located at Leigh Park Community Centre. Neighbours then administered two shocks, saving Kevin’s life – all before the ambulance had arrived.
Doctors at Bristol’s Royal Infirmary have commended the girls, saying that without them and the defibrillator, Kevin more than likely would not have survived.
Kevin’s partner Katrina Cherry told White Horse News, “I was out during the evening with our eldest son, Leyton. I was only gone for around 40 minutes when I received a call from Elysia and Aiyana. I could hear them banging on the neighbour’s door, saying that Kevin had collapsed. Then, the phone went dead.
“I was driving back from Edington not knowing what was going on and conscious that the children were there by themselves and at this point I knew it was serious – something was wrong.
“When I got there I found out that Kevin had collapsed in front of our 10-year old Aiyana, who had been out playing with her brother and sister. All the stars aligned in that moment because Jayden, our 8-year old needed the toilet, so he came inside, prompting Aiyana to go into the kitchen to get a drink, and that’s when Kevin collapsed.
“If Aiyana hadn’t gone inside, it could have been a while before Kevin was found. But Aiyana then alerted her sister Elysia, who then got the neighbours who started CPR and called an ambulance.
“Kevin was then rushed to Bath RUH who was then transferred to the BRI to a heart specialist. Kevin is a unique case as his heart is on the opposite side of his body. He was put into a medically-induced coma for a few days and started to return to walking and talking just over a week later.
“He is still in hospital as we speak, awaiting his own implanted defibrillator to be fitted. However, with his heart condition, they need to figure out whether a standard device would work for him.
“I just wanted to say a huge thanks to the council for investing in the defibrillators. I really am so proud of how our children dealt with everything and so thankful to my neighbour and best friend who both undertook CPR.
Westbury Town Council said, “In 2017 Westbury Town Council in partnership with the area board provided five HeartSafe defibrillators and cabinets for the Westbury community.
“The funding also allowed us to purchase a guardian pack for each unit, this helps the town council to ensure each defibrillator is well maintained and emergency ready.
“We are happy to hear these vital defibrillators have helped to save a life and we send the family our very best wishes and hope Mr Scott has a speedy recovery.
“In case of an emergency, we would ask residents and businesses to keep a note of their nearest defibrillator. The defibrillators are stored in bright green labelled cabinets and can be found at the following locations.
• Leigh Park Community Centre – Cabinet location 1391
• Westbury Library, Edward Street – Cabinet location 1392
• One Stop Shop Community Stores, Queens Road – Cabinet location 1393
• Tesco Express, Fore Street – Cabinet location 1394
• The Laverton, Bratton Road – Cabinet location 1395.”
