Defibrillator installed in memory of man's father

Image caption, David Burton said he was "very proud" a defibrillator has been installed at Cavans Wood Park
  • Author, Shehnaz Khan
  • Role, 91热爆 News, West Midlands

The family of a man who died from a heart attack after being told there were no ambulances free to take him to hospital have set up a defibrillator in his memory.

Ken Burton, 82, from Cannock, Staffordshire, was told he needed an ambulance at an emergency GP appointment on 31 January but died hours later, while his son was driving him to hospital.

At the time, West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was under significant pressure dealing with long handover times at hospitals.

Now, the defibrillator has been unveiled at Cavans Wood Park estate in Huntington, along with a plaque dedicated to Mr Burton with the words, "everyone deserves a fighting chance".

Image caption, A plaque dedicated to Ken Burton has also been fitted at the site, after the 82-year-old died in January

David Burton, said he was "very proud" the defibrillator had been installed at the site where his father lived.

"I know it鈥檚 exactly what my dad would have wanted," he said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exactly what he would have done if he鈥檇 been given the chance.鈥

Donations of 拢1,800, gathered through an online fundraising page, enabled the installation.

Image source, David Burton

Image caption, Lifelong Birmingham City FC fan Ken Burton died in January

Mr Burton said he had launched the fundraiser because, like others, his dad had deserved a 鈥渇ighting chance鈥 of survival.

He said there were plans to host a session at a nearby pub to train local residents on how to use the life-saving equipment and to hand out leaflets with instructions.

鈥淧eople within a one-mile radius will be able to use this as their nearest defibrillator," he added.

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