Vandals target life-saving defibrillator at football club just hours after Christian Eriksen incident

Two vandals damaged a defibrillator at Buxted Football Club in Sussex, according to the club.

It came just hours after the same equipment was used to save Danish footballer Christian Eriksen after he collapsed on the pitch mid-game.

A spokesman for the club said in an appeal on Twitter: "Last night at 12:50am, our defib was vandalised.

READ MORE: How to find your nearest defibrillator - and how to do CPR

"It was caught on CCTV so if anyone has any information about who these two people are then please report it Sussex Police.

"The CAD Number is 551-13.06.2021."

In a post on Facebook, the club also said: "If you wonder if you should contact the police - just consider for one moment that it could be your family or friends that may need this device one day."

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: "Police are investigating a report of a defibrillator being damaged and stolen by two suspects at Buxted Football Club in Uckfield.

"The incident is believed to have taken place in the early hours of Sunday morning (13 June).

"A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and remains in custody for questioning.

"Anyone with information that may assist with enquiries is urged to report online or call 101, quoting 551 of 13/06."

Eriksen, 29, is reported to be stable and awake in hospital after he received emergency treatment on the pitch in Copenhagen.

He suffered a cardiac arrest, according to Denmark's team doctor.

Many of the defibrillators which are available for public use in some parts of the country are there as a result of a campaign launched by former footballer Fabrice Muamba.

Muamba collapsed during an FA cup game while playing for Bolton Wanderers in 2012 and his heart had to be restarted using a defibrillator.

After making a remarkable recovery, Muamba joined a campaign alongside Marks and Spencers and the London Ambulance Service to get 1000 of the machines out into public spaces.

A version of this story was originally published on the Eastbourne Herald