Defibrillator did not work with Come on Cycling Tourist during WE Ride Flanders: « The device was still checked week before » (Kluisbergen)
The defibrillator did not work, although a check had happened the week before. – © If
The defibrillator with which an attempt was made to resuscitate a cycling tourist on the old Kwaremont during We Ride Flanders did not work. The French victim collapsed on April 5 during the cycling tourist version of the Tour of Flanders, but help could no longer benefit. « The aircraft was checked for proper functioning the week before De Ronde, » said Mayor Philippe Willequet (Municipal Interests) during the city council.
During We Ride Flanders, the cycling tourist version of the Tour of Flanders, two participants died. One of them is the French ex-professional rider Stéphane Krafft (45), former teammate of Frank Vandenbroucke at Cofidis, among others. It was attempted to resuscitate him with an AED device that hung nearby, on Kwaremontplein, but help could no longer benefit.
During Thursday’s council session, opposition party Team Kluisbergen asked at Monde van Brechtar Lietar left whether there is a maintenance contract for the AED devices (Automatic external defibrillator, ed.) of the municipality. « The device apparently did not work correctly in the accident during the round for amateurs. »
Two weaknesses
Mayor Philippe Willequet (Municipal Interests) replied that the device had been checked the week before. « We don’t know what happened, but the device was checked for the proper operation the week before the round. There is a maintenance contract, the week before the round a check was happened. The device is now at the manufacturer for research. »
« Based on statements from, among others, the emergency doctor, it appears that a working AED device was not a guarantee of survival, » said Johan Devenyns (Municipal Interests). « I have followed a course. Such a device has two weaknesses: the battery and the electrodes. If, accidentally, something happens to the electrodes, the device goes to safety. That is possible because it was used in a stress situation. » (PMA)
