Driver tells of frantic race for defibrillator

Anorth-east driver has revealed how he raced to get a defibrillator as a pedestrian fought for her life after a collision on the A93.

Dee Malone was travelling home to Banchory on Sunday when he approached the scene of a crash near Crathes.

The incident, involving a white Renault Twingo car and a 52-year-old female pedestrian, happened shortly after 7.15pm.

Shocked by the scenes before him, Mr Malone sprang into action, racing to collect a defibrillator from Crathes village hall.

Speaking to The Press and Journal, Mr Malone spoke of how he was forced to rip the life-saving device off the wall as he had “no time to waste.”

He said: “I didn’t see the collision at all because it was so dark on the road at that time.

“I was about the fifth car away when it happened. I only realised something was wrong when people started putting their hazards on and some people turned around and went the other way.

“Some guy came running up asking if anyone was medically trained or had a defibrillator on board as someone was seriously injured lying in the road.

“After realising what just happened, I turned my car around and drove straight to the community centre beside Crathes because I knew they would have one on the wall after what happened to that young child in Torry.

“I got there quick – only being about 200 to 300 meters away if that – but then I had to rip the defibrillator off the wall due to the wrong code being put on the front of it.

“It was a quick decision as I had no time to waste.”

Arriving back at the scene, the 29-year-old dump truck driver, watched as first responders performed CPR, holding a torch to aid their efforts in the pitch-black darkness.

He added: “I rushed back as fast as I could to the scene with my hazards on and gave the defibrillator to one of the attending police officers at the scene.

“I tried to help where I could with everything then I stood watching them perform CPR holding my torch so they could see what else needed to be done.”

The injured woman was assessed by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance.

Her injuries are described as being life-threatening.

Meanwhile, the 23-yearold female driver of the car was uninjured.

Mr Malone said the A93 Aberdeen to Banchory road is a blackspot for accidents, and he urged those using the route to exercise caution.

An investigation has now been launched to establish the events leading up to the crash.

Police are appealing for dash-cam footage to assist with their ongoing inquiries.

In a statement, road policing Sergeant Peter Henderson said: “Inquiries are ongoing into this incident and our thoughts are with all those involved.

“Anyone who believes they may have seen the vehicle or pedestrian is asked to contact police on 101.

“Similarly, anyone who believes they may have dash-cam footage relevant to the inquiry is asked to get in touch.”

Dee Malone.