Rivington Pike to get a defibrillator in memory of Ketan Patel

When Ketan and Nita Patel left their home in Westhoughton on the afternoon of May 11 this year, they were looking forward to a lovely walk up Rivington Pike with their young daughter. 

However, partway up Ketan collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Now, almost four months after the heartbreaking death, a defibrillator has been installed near to where he died in a bid to save lives.

Nita said: “It's amazing there is a defibrillator up there, obviously there had not been one up there, which was quite surprise because a lot of people walk up there, including the elderly and children.

Ketan Patel (Image: Family)

“Sadly it took my husband’s tragic passing, but it has given an opportunity to raise money to put a defibrillator there to help save other people’s lives.

“It is a shame, if there had been one there, would he still be alive now? 

“When Sarah messaged me saying it is  going up, myself, the in-laws and my daughter all visited and saw it going up.”

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The equipment has been installed at Fika Cafe Rivington after the local community rallied round to raise money.

While most defibrillators are wired into the mains, this one requires solar power as the cafe's power is run off a generator. It was installed by Turtle Defib Cabinets. 

L-R: Paul Ashcroft of United Utilities with Nita Patel and Sarah Gaskell at the new defibrillator (Image: Public)

Nita added: “It was a good feeling to see that my husband left a bit of a legacy, something that we can remember him by.

“It is up there because of him. If my husband hadn’t passed away would they be thinking of putting one there.

“It is positive there is one there now. I would like to thank Sarah, who organised this charity fundraising for the defibrillator. 

"At the time I just wasn't up for it, my mind was elsewhere, with my daughter and family. It is all down to her, Claire and Shelley, who supported us."

A memorial bench for Ketan has also been put in place.

The cabinet has been installed at Fika Rivington (Image: Paul Hesketh)

Nita said: “There has been a memorial bench put there by Paul Ashcroft of United Utilities.

“They have kindly made a memorial bench in my husband’s name. The family would have got one ourselves, but he kindly offered, which is lovely of him. 

"It has been put in the place where my husband died. He is probably watching on now, thinking what a good job everybody is doing. He will be pleased." 

Friends Sarah Gaskell, Shelley Ford and Claire Pilkington were at Rivington Pike on the day Ketan died. They were involved in the fundraising for the defibrillator. 

Sarah said: "It has finally been completed, which is great news.

(L-R) Claire, Shelley and Sarah, who campaigned for the defibrillator (Image: Public)

"It will be a good legacy for Ketan, that after all of this there is a positive outcome. It is nice to make something good out of something so very, very sad and tragic." 

Over £4000 was raised for the installation of the cabinet. The remaining money will be split between North West Ambulance Service, Bolton Mountain Rescue and North West Air Ambulance. 

Sarah added: "It is a brilliant amount of money raised, the kindness of people is just amazing. 

"There were also a policeman and a nurse present on the day who carried out CPR, it would be nice to speak to them and the family are really grateful for their help." 

There are also plans to get defibrillators installed at other locations nearby in the future, including Rivington Pike Snack Shack.