A man who suffered a heart attack while running the Belfast Marathon had efforts to aid him delayed because a nearby defibrillator had not been registered with the ambulance service.
The defibrillator was attached to the front of Bethany Church on the Lisburn Road in Finaghy, close to where the man collapsed during Sunday’s race.
However, the box was locked and could only be opened with a code obtained by phoning the ambulance service on 999.
The ambulance service only has a code if the device has been registered.
Shane Horan, who attempted to access the device, told the BBC emergency services informed him there was no code and he was advised to speak to someone at the church.
He said when he eventually found someone, they did not know the code either.
The man was eventually helped using another defibrillator.
Mr Horan said: “At first I was relieved at being able to find the defibrillator, but it very quickly turned to frustration when it wouldn’t open.
“This was a massive breakdown in process. A defibrillator you cant access is worse than none at all.”
“I was glad there were plenty of people around me reacting so quickly to help him.”
In a statement, the church said “regrettably” the defibrillator had not been registered but “this has been rectified”.
The statement continued: “Bethany Church is thankful for the quick action of the public on Sunday.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the runner who collapsed and required medical assistance.”
