Carlos Santos, founder of BristolResus4All, warns that a publicly accessible defibrillator at Broad Quay — used more than 40 times and deployed on 11 July — has not been returned. The device helped save lives in the past, including a recent survivor, and its absence reduces the chance of survival for future cardiac arrests. South Western Ambulance Service and Avon and Somerset Police are investigating; anyone with information is asked to call 101. Community groups urge people to return found units or contact emergency services so the device can be available again.
Bristol Bus Driver Warns Missing Broad Quay Defibrillator Is Putting Lives At Risk
The defibrillator is normally found outside Turtle Bay in Broad Quay, where it was installed in July 2025. [BBC]
A Bristol bus driver who has helped fund and install public defibrillators across the city says lives are at risk after one of the essential devices disappeared following its use.
Carlos Santos, from Cadbury Heath, founded BristolResus4All in 2025 to expand access to life-saving defibrillators across Bristol. He says the unit at Broad Quay — which has reportedly been used more than 40 times overall and on 11 patients in just over a year — has been missing since it was deployed on 11 July.
One of the people helped by the Broad Quay device was Dave Forty, who survived a cardiac arrest last year after the machine had been fitted with new batteries days earlier. Santos, who installed the device in memory of his friend and colleague Richard Dewdney, warns that every minute without treatment cuts the chance of survival by about 10%.
"It was used on 11 patients - that's possibly 11 lives saved in just over a year. They are essential to save people's lives during a cardiac arrest," Santos told BBC Radio Bristol.
What authorities say
South Western Ambulance Service confirmed it is aware a community defibrillator "has not been returned, following its deployment to a medical emergency on Saturday 11 July." The trust says its team carried out extensive enquiries but the device has not yet been located.
Carlos Santos installed the defibrillator in memory of his friend and colleague, Richard Dewdney, who died after suffering a heart attack [BBC]
The ambulance service noted the pad was removed from its cabinet during a genuine emergency and suggested a well-meaning person may have tried to put it back but been unable to access the locked cabinet. Following Resuscitation Council UK guidance, it said publicly accessible defibrillators are best left unlocked so they can be accessed and replaced quickly after use.
Avon and Somerset Police said they were notified on 28 July that the Broad Quay housing had not been returned and are carrying out enquiries. Anyone with information has been asked to call 101.
Community response and cost
Community groups have been working to expand coverage across Bristol. Defibs4Bristol has installed more than 60 machines in the city; its spokesperson, Simon Brookes, advised anyone who finds a unit to return it to an ambulance station or contact the South Western Ambulance Service Trust. Individual defibrillators can cost up to £1,000 or more to buy and install.
How you can help
If you have information about the missing Broad Quay defibrillator, please contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101 or reach out to South Western Ambulance Service. Community groups also ask people to consider supporting local installations or checking the location of nearby publicly accessible defibrillators so help is available quickly in an emergency.
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