‘Mindless vandals’ have put lives at stake this week by damaging a high-tech defibrillator that was only formally unveiled at Highbridge’s Apex Park a month ago.
The life-saving equipment – also called an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) – was installed for use in emergencies where someone is having a suspected heart attack.
Shocked members of Burnham-On-Sea Harriers and the Friends of Apex Park – who oversee the equipment – had to remove it on Friday after finding it had been smashed and damaged.
Reg Huxtable from Burnham Harriers told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This has come as a shock to us – someone has smashed the perspex cover and damaged the keypad cover so that the box it can no longer be closed. Until we have completed repairs the AED has been removed.”
“It is sad that in after only a very short time, some mindless people have carried out such vandalism with a complete lack of respect for the community’s well-being.”
He added: “Quite why anyone would do this is beyond me – it’s such an important piece of equipment that could save someone’s life.”
“We don’t know if it was purposeful damage with a financial motive or young pranksters – either way, it’s pointless vandalism.”
He added: “We have reported it to the Police and hope that anyone who saw anything suspicious will contact them direct.”
The AED was installed on the wall of Apex Park’s office building in the Marine Drive car park in December, as we reported here.
It was funded jointly by the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Parkrun participants, Burnham and Highbridge Town Council and Sedgemoor District Council.
The damage occurred between Saturday morning afternoon and Wednesday this week – anyone with information should contact Burnham-On-Sea Police on 101.
