A South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust defibrillator was officially launched as a life-saving legacy to a tourist who died in the place he loved most of all. 

Graham Anthony, 71, had a cardiac arrest during a visit to Readymoney Cove in Fowey with his wife in October 2017. 

Emergency services – including SWASFT paramedics – carried out treatment on Graham, from Cannington in Somerset, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The defibrillator, which is registered with SWASFT, was commissioned at a special ceremony yesterday, attended by Graham’s wife Angela.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

Local shop owner Victoria Clark spearheaded a campaign to raise £1,600 for a public defibrillator beside the sandy beach.

She also paid for the device to be installed on the wall by her café. 

Victoria said: ‘It was a tragic event to happen. Although there were several public access defibrillators in Fowey, none of them were sufficiently close enough to be of assistance on that day.

‘The local community in Fowey was really shocked by what happened. Readymoney is an iconic place that is important to a lot of people. It’s more than just a beach. 

‘So the fund-raising campaign resonated strongly with residents and tourists. The response was phenomenal – donations kept coming in, and we reached the target very quickly. 

‘It was desperately sad that Graham lost his life, but having a defibrillator on site provides hope that should such an incident occur in the future, loss of life could potentially be avoided.’

Local charity Coast Medic installed the defibrillator and registered it with SWASFT.

Founder Luke Tudor, who is a SWASFT paramedic, said: ‘There are many remote locations in Cornwall, which are challenging for ambulances to reach quickly. But having a public access defibrillator in place is another way of ensuring a quick response to a cardiac arrest incident.’

Since the Readymoney defibrillator was installed in January, another device has been funded and connected nearby at Fowey Gallants sailing club.