A MAN who “died” after suffering a heart attack has backed a bid to get two more life-saving defibrillators in Wallingford.

Former timber research manager Vince Kerrigan suffered a cardiac arrest when he was rowing for Wallingford Rowing Club in the Head of the River race in Oxford in 2009.

The oarsman was hauled out of his boat on to the river bank by his teammate and friend Andy Millar. Although the 61-year-old attempted CPR on Mr Kerrigan, he was unable to revive him.

It was not until the father-of-three received defibrillator treatment from the RNLI, which had teams patrolling the river, that he was revived.

Mr Millar, a medical director at a biotechnology company, said: “Without the defibrillator he would have died, it’s as simple as that.

“We had started CPR but we weren’t getting a regular rhythm.

“Within a few minutes, members of the RNLI had come and taken over treatment. Using a defibrillator they got a regular rhythm back.”

Mr Millar said his crewmate’s recovery was miraculous.

Mr Kerrigan, who lives in Wallingford, said: “I definitely think more defibrillators are a good thing.

“It’s life and death, simple as that, and in my case it was life. Without it I would be dead.”

A fundraising campaign for two new defibrillators in Wallingford has been started by Mayor of Wallingford Lynda Atkins.

Mrs Atkins, also a town and county councillor, is also campaigning for more people to learn how to use defibrillators.

As a result, paramedics and first responders will be on hand with information at St Mary-le-More in the town between 10am and noon on Saturday, September 26.

Mrs Atkins said: “The new defibrillators are incredibly advanced and safe to use as they instruct you what to do step by step, but it’s important more people feel confident using them.”

To access a public defibrillator, a person needs to call 999 and tell the phone operator what has happened.

If deemed necessary, the person will be given a key code to the nearest defibrillator in their area.

The device offers a step-by-step guide on how to shock the heart rhythm, and potentially save a person’s life.

Wallingford already has a public defibrillator at the Old Post Office pub in St Martin’s, but Mrs Atkins wants to raise money to pay for two more, in the north and south of the town.

She said: “Cardiac arrests can affect anyone – young, old, athletes and normal people.

“It’s important to have this technology available.”

She needs to raise at least £1,800 for the two defibrillators.

The first major fundraising event will be a concert with the Wallingford Church Choir on November 28 at St Mary-le-More at 6pm.

* For more information visit wallingfordchoirs.org.uk