A son whose “perfect and humble” mother died after she had a heart attack says those who tried to save her were “horrified” to learn there was no defibrillator at the station.

Cameron Hey was on a train for a trip to the theatre in London with his 60-year-old mum Alison when she fell unwell and became unresponsive.

The train came to a stop at Bushey station and off-duty medical professionals rushed to Alison’s aid but they were unable to save her life.

Cameron, 28, from Kings Langley, remembers the “haunting” looks those performing CPR gave when they were told there was no defibrillator at the station – and knew at this moment his mum was not going to survive.

Watford Observer: Alison was from Bolton and was visiting her son Cameron for a trip to see the Wicked musical in London when she fell ill suddenlyAlison was from Bolton and was visiting her son Cameron for a trip to see the Wicked musical in London when she fell ill suddenly (Image: Cameron Hey)

Recalling the tragedy on September 24, Cameron said: “I’ve never been told defibrillator would have definitely saved my mum’s life but I’d have given my right arm and left leg for one to have been there. The kit wasn’t there when my mum needed it most.”

The British Heart Foundation says immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival.

Watford Observer: Alison and her family. Son Cameron described her as the life and soul of the office at the DWP and a great bakerAlison and her family. Son Cameron described her as the life and soul of the office at the DWP and a great baker (Image: Cameron Hey)

When Alison, a Bolton-based civil servant of 40 years with the Department for Work & Pensions, fell ill at 10.15am, a GP, former A&E doctor, and three nurses responded to a call for help.

They gave CPR while others struggled to get hold of an ambulance operator. Cameron says a police officer confirmed to him an ambulance was on scene by 10.48am with a defibrillator, and an air ambulance arrived by 11.15am but Alison, whose father died in his sleep of a heart attack aged 39, was pronounced dead at 11.37am.

Cameron said: “People were so kind and helpful and I felt lucky to have the best qualified people there trying to help - I had visions of mum waking up in hospital surrounded by family asking what trouble she had caused now.”

Watford Observer: Alison was soon to celebrate her 29th wedding anniversary and loved her two dogs Alison was soon to celebrate her 29th wedding anniversary and loved her two dogs (Image: Cameron Hey)

Since his mum’s death, Cameron has raised around £4,000 via the AEDdonate charity to buy two defibrillators and says the “job is not done” until devices are installed at every train station.

London Overground’s general manager Rory O’Neill says Transport for London is “committed” to installing defibrillators at every Overground station, including Bushey, “as quickly as possible”.

Support the AEDdonate fundraiser at https://www.aeddonate.org.uk/projects/defib-for-alison/

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