The GHA Ambulance Service reported this week to the Royal Gibraltar Police that the battery of  a defibrillator at the southern end of Eastern Beach had been stolen.  

A statement from the GHA follows below:

Station Officer and Emergency Medical Technician Charlie Noguera stated that during his  inspection of the Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) yesterday morning at the beach, he found that  the unit would not power on when removed from its casing, and upon further inspection  discovered that the battery was missing. The battery was subsequently replaced.  

All PADs around Gibraltar are checked monthly to verify expiry dates and batteries, as well as the  overall condition of the equipment.  

Mr Noguera said: “The main concern is that while the defibrillator remains in its casing and  appears ready for use, anyone needing it in an emergency would be unaware that it is not  operational, which could lead to a critical delay and cost lives. Should any member of the public  notice anything wrong with the PADs, we would be most grateful if this can be reported to the  GHA by calling 200 72266, extension 2399.”  

GHA Director General, Kevin McGee, said: “This is a senseless act of vandalism which is doubly  damaging as human lives can be put at risk. We believe it is the first time that we have  encountered such a dreadful action and we hope it is the last.”