A device donated to police by a grieving Moray couple in honour of their tragic son has saved the life of a north-east man.
Gordon and Sandra McKandie raised thousands of pounds to install defibrillators in police cars after 16-year-old Keiran was struck by a car while out riding his bike.
The Miltonduff teenager lay in the road for almost 30 minutes before an ambulance reached him.
In an attempt to save others in need, Mr and Mrs McKandie resolved to kit out the police teams with vital equipment so they can treat casualties quickly if they arrive first on the scene.
Their aim was to keep Keiran’s memory alive by saving lives in his name.
The machines were installed in police vehicles across the north-east in February, and only two months later one was used to resuscitate a 52-year-old man.
When officers arrived at the scene they found the man lifeless in the back of a car which had been pulled over into a layby north of Peterhead, near St Fergus.
Roads police officers who arrived there first used the device emblazoned with Keiran’s name to restart his heart.
He was later taken by paramedics to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI), and is now recovering at home.
The incident, which came to light yesterday, took place on April 1 – the anniversary of Keiran’s funeral.
The man involved wishes to remain anonymous, but his daughter thanked the Moray family responsible for “saving her dad’s life”.
She said: “The McKandie family has been incredibly brave and should be proud of themselves for starting a charity which has saved my dad’s life.
“Thanks to them, we will be able to enjoy more time together as a family.”
The defibrillator was one of 10 – each worth £1,000 – donated by the McKandie family.
The equipment was spread out across the north-east, going to vehicles in Elgin, Inverurie, Mintlaw, Stonehaven and Aberdeen.
All of the machines bear the slogan “Keiran’s legacy – in honour of Keiran McKandie (KDAWG)”.
Mrs McKandie yesterday described her mixed emotions on the almost instant success of the initiative.
She said: “It’s bittersweet because it makes me wonder how things could have gone, if this sort of thing had been available a year ago.
“I’m delighted we have been able to help this gentleman, but it comes off the back of the most tragic event in our lives.
“It is because of Keiran that this is happening.”
Mrs McKandie hopes the recent incident could help the couple in their quest to roll the scheme out nationally.
The six-month trial period will end in August, and at that point she wants to see it ramped up.
She said: “I’m eager for the police and the Scottish Government to take this forward now.
“These defibrillators should eventually be in every police vehicle, not just those belonging to roads policing teams.”
Deputy Chief Constable, Rose Fitzpatrick, helped arrange the defibrillator installation and accompanying training.
She said: “It is extremely pleasing to hear that one of the defibrillators donated has been used to save this man’s life.
“I hope Gordon and Sandra McKandie can take some comfort from knowing that their very kind and generous donation has undoubtedly played a significant part in the man’s chances of survival.
“It is remarkable to think that we are already seeing such a positive impact.
“We will continue to increase the number of officers trained to support our emergency services colleagues.”
Keiran was killed on March 20 last year, when he was knocked from his bike near Craigend, on the outskirts of Elgin.
The ambulance dispatched to the B9010 Dallas to Kellas road took 27 minutes to reach him.
Earlier this week, his former classmates at Elgin Academy were given lessons on how to save lives using defibrillators.
