Pub to install defibrillator after regular's death

The family of a man who died after suffering a heart attack in a Hull pub have welcomed the decision to install a defibrillator there in his memory.

Robin Stonehouse, 74, was as regular at various pubs, cafes and businesses on Princes Avenue and Newland Avenue.

He died on 1 January at The Bowery, where he had celebrated New Year.

His niece, Kathryn Stonehouse, 48, who led efforts to get a defibrillator installed at the venue, said: "It's something that will honour Robin's memory. He couldn't be saved, but maybe somebody else could."

She added: "If he could just save one life, that would be amazing. He would have been happy with that and we would be happy with that. It would have such a huge impact."

Kathryn said her uncle's death was "sudden" and "unexpected".

Robin was found by bar staff, she said.

Kathryn said CPR was attempted, as one of Robin's friends ran to Chanterlands Avenue, where the nearest available defibrillator was located.

"It could have been a whole different story [had a CPR been available at the scene]," she said. "We don't know if that might have saved him."

A total of £435 was collected in the area to pay for a defibrillator, with The Bowery also raising £200.

When local councillor Rhiannon Beeson secured council funding for a defibrillator and bleed kit, Kathryn announced the funds raised locally would instead be used for a plaque in Robin's memory.

The machine is currently waiting for the final paperwork to be completed before it is available for use.

Kathryn said: "They hardly cost anything to run, the amount of electric they use is minimal, it's pence. There's a bit of an outlay at first, but it's a little bit of money and it could save someone's life."

Discussing the defibrillator campaign, she said: "We want to have as many as possible - so you don't have to spend 10 or 20 minutes running to get it.

"Every second counts – so the sooner you can get to that defib makes all the difference."

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