‘Mindless vandals’ have again put lives at stake this week by damaging a high-tech defibrillator at Highbridge’s Apex Park, just days after two break-ins at the nearby BMX Club.
The life-saving Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is critical 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 – told Burnham-On-Sea.com it was damaged this week.
Reg Huxtable from Burnham Harriers and parkrun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Once again, the defibrillator has been damaged by vandals, in what appears to be an attempt the break into the office, which failed, and subsequently, damage to the AED.”
“It is beyond belief that this type of behaviour to life saving equipment takes place within our community.”
It comes as nearby Burnham BMX Club has suffered two break-ins during tghe past month when fences, windows, office facilities and equipment were damaged.
The AED was installed on the wall of Apex Park’s office building in the Marine Drive car park in December 2016, as we reported here and it was initially vandalised in January 2017.
It was funded jointly by the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge Parkrun participants, Burnham and Highbridge Town Council and Sedgemoor District Council.
Anyone with information about the cause of the damage ior the break-ins should contact Burnham-On-Sea Police on 101.