Ten train stations get 'life-saving' defibrillators

Train stations across Suffolk have been equipped with 10 new defibrillators as part of a £17,000 project.

The heart resuscitators have been made available at stations on Greater Anglia's East Suffolk Lines between Ipswich, Lowestoft and Felixstowe.

They can be found at Brampton, Darsham, Derby Road, Halesworth, Melton, Oulton Broad South, Saxmundham, Trimley, Westerfield and Woodbridge.

"These defibrillators mean we are better prepared to provide assistance in the event of a first aid emergency," said Georgia Payne, Greater Anglia's safeguarding and community safety manager.

"There is compelling evidence showing that defibrillation at the earliest possible point after a person collapses can significantly increase their chances of survival.

"Statistics show that 20% of cardiac arrests occur in a public place, so it's vital that this life-saving equipment is available in public places, particularly rail stations."

Other stations across the county, including Beccles, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Lowestoft, and Wickham Market, have already been equipped with the kit.

They can be used by anyone to shock a person in cardiac arrest and monitor the heart's activity, while giving instructions to users.

The latest resuscitators have been funded by Greater Anglia's Customer and Community Fund, following a successful application by the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership.

Greater Anglia's partnerships manager, Scott Dolling, said: "We were pleased to support this really important, life-saving initiative which means that every station on the East Suffolk lines now has a defibrillator."

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