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The Belfast marathon runner’s treatment was delayed due to a defibrillation access issue

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image description, There were more than 5,000 marathon participants and 12,500 relay runners

  • Author, Tony Connor
  • Role, BBC News NI

A man who suffered a heart attack while running the Belfast Marathon could not be treated with a defibrillator because the device was not registered.

The defibrillator was attached to the front of Bethany Church on Lisburn Road in Finaghy, close to where the man collapsed on Sunday.

A bystander who saw what happened and tried to help the runner with the defibrillator said relief turned to frustration after he was unable to use the device.

The church told BBC News NI this was because the defibrillator was not registered on the national network.

The man was helped with another defibrillator and taken to hospital where he is recovering, according to the BBC.

Defibrillator boxes are locked and require a code to open, which can be obtained by calling emergency services on 999.

However, the rescue service only has a code if the device is registered.

Devices purchased privately by organizations such as community groups or churches must be registered after purchase.

When Shane Horan called 999 on Sunday he was told there was no area code and was advised to speak to someone at the church.

He said when he finally found someone, they didn’t know the code either.

“At first I was relieved to be able to find the defibrillator, but when it wouldn’t open, I quickly became frustrated,” Horan said.

“It was a huge process failure. A defibrillator that you don’t have access to is worse than no defibrillator at all.”

“I was happy that many people around me reacted so quickly to help him.”

image source, Shane Horan

image description, Shane Horan assisted the victim

Mr Horan urged any group that has a defibrillator to ensure it is registered.

According to the BBC, the device has been installed at Bethany Church for at least nine months.

In a statement, the church said the defibrillator was available to the public 24 hours a day but was “regrettably not registered with the National Defibrillator Network.”

“This has been resolved,” the statement continued.

“Bethany Church is grateful for the public’s quick action on Sunday.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the runner who collapsed and requires medical attention.”

image source, British Parliament

image description, Claire Hanna is MP for South Belfast

The region’s MP, Claire Hanna of the Social Democratic and Labor Party, said spectators who helped the man “really stood up” and praised their “life-saving efforts”.

“It is vital that equipment is maintained and registered and this highlights the need for training for as many people as possible,” she said.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.

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