Fort police presented with new defibrillators
Police officers in Fort William and their colleagues in Dingwall have received training on the use of new defibrillators following a donation from the family of a Moray teenager who lost his life in a road accident in 2016.
Police Scotland accepted the defibrillators for use in the Highlands from the family of Keiran McKandie, who was just 16 when he died after a collision involving his bicycle and a car on the B9010 near Craigend in Moray.
The six devices have been donated by Keiran’s parents, Sandra and Gordon McKandie, and will be kept in police vehicles and used by officers based at the Road Policing Units in Fort William and Dingwall, operating across the Highlands and Islands area.
The family tirelessly raised money in Keiran’s memory and this donation builds on a pilot scheme which began in February last year.
The new defibrillators were available for use from Monday in support of the Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Road Policing Chief Inspector Stewart Mackie commented: ‘We are extremely grateful to the McKandie family for their generous donation of this life-saving equipment which will now be carried in road policing vehicles operating in the Highlands and Islands.
‘We look forward to building on the success of the scheme in the north east and working closely in partnership with ambulance staff to provide enhanced medical aid if required at the scene of serious incidents.
‘Keiran’s family should be commended for their dedicated fundraising following such a tragic event in their lives and I would again thank them for their generosity.’
Sandra and Gordon McKandie added: ‘Keiran’s
Legacy, based in Moray, is the only registered charity in Moray whose aim is to save lives, improve and enhance education and provide recreational activities which improves the lives of the users for the population across Scotland.
‘These defibrillators will provide personnel with more confidence, knowledge and enhance the ‘can do’ attitude.
‘The introduction of these devices is a landmark moment in Police Scotland history and has involved many discussions, actions and time which has required embracing of change for this to become a reality.’