Last updated at 08:39, Tuesday, 04 December 2012

A FORMER mayor of Barrow has vowed he will try to train the town’s population in lifesaving skills following a dramatic incident at the weekend.

CLLR JOHN MURPHY

Mark Ducie, watch manager at Barrow fire service, was raising awareness of the Heart Start Campaign in the town centre on Saturday, along with former Barrow mayor Councillor John Murphy, when shoppers rushed from Barrow Market and told him an elderly woman had collapsed inside.

Quick thinking Mr Ducie dashed to the scene and found market staff were already bringing the defibrillator, purchased with money raised by Cllr Murphy, who had also been raising awareness of the training sessions.

Mr Ducie started CPR along with an off-duty nurse, while Cllr Murphy helped manage the scene, until ambulance staff arrived.

The campaign teaches people CPR skills and how to use a defibrillator should someone suffer a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Now Cllr Murphy has said he intends to train everyone in Barrow in a bid to boost people’s chances should they suffer a heart attack.

Barrow MP John Woodcock stepped in and helped man the stand while Cllr Murphy and Mr Ducie dashed to the aid of the woman.

The woman was taken to Furness General Hospital and later admitted to intensive care and the incident has prompted Mr Ducie to call on Barrovians to sign up to learn how to use the machinery.

He said: “Fingers crossed the lady pulls through.

“We bought the lady some time until she could get the expert care, and that is the aim.”

Mr Ducie said the fire service has 29 defibrillators and is looking for businesses across the Barrow borough who are willing to have a unit installed on their external wall, as well as electricians who can volunteer their time to help fit the lifesaving devices.

The woman was in intensive care and hospital staff described her as being in a “poorly” condition yesterday evening .

For information on Heart Start courses or to offer help installing the machines, phone Mark Ducie on 01229 407800.

First published at 16:17, Monday, 03 December 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk