Latest news with #lifesaving
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- RNZ News
Jet ski tragedy: Vincent Cornell-Cooke died after giving lifejacket to brother
By Hannah Bartlett, Open Justice multimedia journalist of Vincent "Vinnie" Cornell-Cooke, died while saving his brother during a jet ski incident on Lake Taupō. The coroner has released findings into his death. Photo: Open Justice / NZME When Vincent Cornell-Cooke saw his brother struggling to stay afloat after they had fallen off a jet ski, he told him he loved him, and handed him his lifejacket. The 35-year-old's "ultimate sacrifice" saved his brother Bronson's life, but resulted in the loss of his own. As Bronson clung to the one lifejacket they had between them, efforts were made to keep Vincent afloat in the choppy waters of Lake Taupō, but eventually he went under and disappeared. His body was found by a police dive squad seven metres underwater at 3.30pm the next day. After his death, a Givealittle page was set up to raise support for Vincent's wife and children. In it "Vinnie" was remembered as "an amazing and loving husband and father, who poured his heart and soul into his family". "His generosity, courage, and devotion to his family and friends will forever leave a legacy of love and kindness," the page read. Now, a coroner's findings have been released outlining the circumstances of the tragic death, and providing safety recommendations for other jet ski riders. On 18 January 2025, Vincent and his two brothers, Washington and Bronson, arrived in Taupō to celebrate Bronson's 30th birthday. They began celebrations with skydiving, followed by food and drinks at their hotel, before Vincent and Bronson went into town where they had "a significant amount of alcohol", and then caught a taxi back to the hotel. The next day, the three brothers headed to the lake to use Bronson's jet ski, taking it for a spin, one at a time. But about 12.30pm, Vincent and Bronson headed out on the jet ski together, with Vincent driving and wearing the one lifejacket they had between them. Neither of them could swim. As the water became choppier, they were thrown without warning from the jet ski. Vincent's lifejacket was not connected to the emergency safety engine cut-off switch, which meant the jet ski circled before drifting away. Bronson told the coroner the men were "freaking out", and he was struggling to stay afloat. Vincent took off the lifejacket, which Bronson reluctantly took. While Vincent struggled and eventually went under, Bronson managed to signal for help and people on the beach called emergency services. Police rescued Bronson about 1pm. A post-mortem listed Vincent's cause of death as drowning. A toxicology report did not detect any alcohol, but found methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was present. The pathologist advised that "MDMA is a stimulant that can contribute to impaired judgment, and it may have impacted [Vincent's] ability to safely operate the jet ski". However, the coroner noted the analysis did not indicate when this was ingested or in what quantities. Coroner Ian Telford began his recommendations by acknowledging Vincent's death was tragic. He said the circumstances around it were "profoundly moving - an enduring example of someone making the ultimate sacrifice for their brother". However, he also said that while he didn't wish to add to the family's pain, he had assessed that Vincent's death was "highly preventable". Telford said Vincent's consumption of alcohol and recent ingestion of MDMA may have impaired his condition and judgment, but also noted, "while Vincent may not have been in optimal condition", it appears that the jet ski capsizing was, fundamentally, "an unforeseeable accident". "It could have been caused by random instability of the craft or roughness of the water. There is simply no way to determine the exact cause of the capsizing." The main factors the coroner considered relevant were that Vincent ended up without a lifejacket and couldn't swim; and a cord was not attached to Vincent's wrist or lifejacket, so the engine cut-off switch wasn't activated. "This prevented the brothers from being able to reboard the jet ski, or at least use it to aid their flotation." The coroner said Vincent's chances of survival would have been "considerably higher" had he been wearing a lifejacket and properly using the emergency safety engine cut-off switch on the jet ski. "By bringing this finding to the public's attention, it is hoped that other jet ski users will rediscover the lifesaving value of taking these small safety steps, and also recognise the potentially devastating consequences of neglecting them." Telford also urged people to refer to Maritime New Zealand's website and take note of its advice. Some of the key information he summarised was: This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Driver's defibrillator push after colleague dies
A bus driver has installed life-saving equipment in a city centre at the spot where his friend and colleague collapsed and later died from a cardiac arrest. Carlos Santos, 39, from Cadbury Heath in Bristol, has worked as a bus driver for 18 years and is also a relief CCTV analyst and former Special Police Constable. In December 2024, his colleague Richard Dewdney suffered a heart attack and collapsed while waiting for his next shift at Broad Quay. "There were no defibrillators available on the system unfortunately," said Carlos. "The air ambulance critical team arrived. They worked on him for about an hour, but unfortunately he ended up passing away." Determined to prevent similar tragedies, Mr Santos and fellow drivers raised funds for a defibrillator. First West of England paid the shortfall and the device was installed outside Turtle Bay on Broad Quay, with a plaque dedicated to Richard. It was used within 12 hours of being installed due to a medical emergency nearby. Mr Santos has also founded BristolResus4All, a not-for-profit organisation working with Great Western Air Ambulance, Avon and Somerset Police, and Defibs4Bristol to install and maintain defibs across the region. He said his aim is to ensure no one is more than a three-minute return walk from a defibrillator. "I started to look into defibrillators in the city centre [but] there was not one available," he said. "I found out that around 15 defibrillators were already installed [in local areas], but they lacked maintenance." Mr Santos managed to get all the equipment working again, and found out his work has already helped save a life. "Only a few weeks ago, I met someone that actually survived the cardiac arrest due to me checking a public defibrillator," he said. "It was really good that I could meet him face to face and shake his hand." Mr Santos added: "It's so important to get more defibrillators made available and ensure existing ones are properly maintained because people have been dying unnecessarily. "It doesn't matter what age - it can happen to anybody." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Business group installs sixth city defibrillator
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Bristol bus driver's defibrillator campaign after friend's death
A bus driver has installed life-saving equipment in a city centre at the spot where his friend and colleague collapsed and later died from a cardiac Santos, 39, from Cadbury Heath in Bristol, has worked as a bus driver for 18 years and is also a relief CCTV analyst and former Special Police December 2024, his colleague Richard Dewdney suffered a heart attack and collapsed while waiting for his next shift at Broad Quay."There were no defibrillators available on the system unfortunately," said Carlos. "The air ambulance critical team arrived. They worked on him for about an hour, but unfortunately he ended up passing away." Determined to prevent similar tragedies, Mr Santos and fellow drivers raised funds for a defibrillator. First West of England paid the shortfall and the device was installed outside Turtle Bay on Broad Quay, with a plaque dedicated to Richard. It was used within 12 hours of being installed due to a medical emergency Santos has also founded BristolResus4All, a not-for-profit organisation working with Great Western Air Ambulance, Avon and Somerset Police, and Defibs4Bristol to install and maintain defibs across the said his aim is to ensure no one is more than a three-minute return walk from a defibrillator."I started to look into defibrillators in the city centre [but] there was not one available," he said. "I found out that around 15 defibrillators were already installed [in local areas], but they lacked maintenance."Mr Santos managed to get all the equipment working again, and found out his work has already helped save a life."Only a few weeks ago, I met someone that actually survived the cardiac arrest due to me checking a public defibrillator," he said."It was really good that I could meet him face to face and shake his hand."Mr Santos added: "It's so important to get more defibrillators made available and ensure existing ones are properly maintained because people have been dying unnecessarily."It doesn't matter what age - it can happen to anybody."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
City business group installs sixth defibrillator in Coventry
Coventry's Business Improvement District (BID) has installed a sixth defibrillator and bleed control kit in the city group, which represents businesses in the city and is funded by a levy on them, said it wanted to make sure they were easily accessible wherever first was installed last year at the Skydome and the most recent is now available at Cathedral defibrillators have been welcomed by the Our Jay Foundation, which was set up in memory of 18-year-old Jamie Rees, who collapsed and later died after having a cardiac arrest. Naomi Rees-Issitt, Jamie's mum and chair of the OurJay Foundation, said: "Ensuring that this vital lifesaving equipment is accessible to the community 24/7 means so much to us all at OurJay Foundation and every single site reminds us of how many lives could potentially be saved, in memory of our precious Jamie."The BID said the work to install the six defibrillators had been a "major project". Its chief executive, Joanne Glover, said: "Our objective when we started this work last year was to create a network of defibrillators and bleed control cabinets that would be easily accessible to anyone within the ring road."She said this would help the city centre cope in the event of an other kits are available in Lower Precinct, on Smithford Way next to the outdoor entrance of WHSmith at West Orchards Shopping Centre, opposite Baxter Baristas on Millenium Place and outside Coventry BID's offices at Holt Court on Warwick are also defibrillators at other premises in the city centre, listed on a national register of the machines which emergency services can use to guide callers. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund donates AED defibrillator in memory of fallen London firefighter
Byron Woods Montessori School received a defibrillator from the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund, a charity that donates AED defibrillators in memory of law enforcement, fire, paramedic, and military members killed in the line of duty. Patrick Armstrong started the fund in honour of his beloved friend and fellow OPP officer, Dave Mounsey, who was killed in the line of duty in 2006. 'He and his partner Brenda raised money to donate a defibrillator to the local fire department and, unfortunately, didn't live to see that donation,' said Armstrong. 'Myself and some like-minded individuals came together to continue that last act of kindness towards the community.' Patrick said the fund has saved seven lives since 2009. 'We're here to donate our 216th defibrillator.' said Patrick. 'This one is in memory of Donald Varey, who was captain at the London Fire Department.' Donald's children say they know their father would be 'proud' and 'happy' to know he is still helping save lives today. 'He'd be humble about it and not make a big deal,' said Chris Varey, Donald's son. 'But he'd be very grateful for lifesaving measures available to people in a time of need,' added Shelley Bhabha, Donald's daughter. Armstrong said through the donation, Donald's legacy will live on. 'All these professions are about saving lives and being there at the right time and that's what a defibrillator is,' said Armstrong. 'It may sit on a wall for two or three years and all of the sudden when it's needed it jumps in.' While the hope is that it is never needed, the device will continue to save lives and honour those who gave theirs.
