A MISSING defibrillator which was presumed stolen has been returned after the user forgot they had it.

Heybridge Parish Council were pleased to announce that the missing defibrillator has been returned.

Parish chairman Simon Burwood said: “It has been thoroughly checked over, has had new pads and a battery check and is now back in its storage box outside Plantation Hall waiting to be used for the next emergency.

“Thanks to the Standard, a resident who has asked not to be identified has come forward after reading last week’s front-page story.

“They had had an emergency and had been advised of the release code by the Ambulance Service.

“Paramedics were on the scene and the patient is doing well.

“The resident then completely forgot they had the machine until prompted by the story in the paper.

“They were most apologetic about the concern the believed theft had caused.”