 Both Robert Walker and Michelle Mitchell are profoundly deaf |
A deaf couple have become the first to use a pioneering scheme to contact the emergency services by text message. Robert Walker used the service when his wife, Michelle Mitchell, thought she was having a heart attack.
An ambulance arrived within 10 minutes at the profoundly deaf couple's home in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
A spokesman for Fife Constabulary urged anyone who is deaf in the area to register for the service, which was launched in April.
Heart murmur
On Wednesday Mr Walker, through a sign language interpreter, said: "Michelle came into the living room looking terrible and saying she had pains in her chest.
"We were really worried because she had had a heart murmur when she was younger and thought she was having a heart attack.
"I used my mobile phone to text the police that my partner was having a heart attack. Just 10 minutes later, an ambulance was at the door."
Ms Mitchell was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, where her symptoms turned out to be a false alarm.
She said: "I really thought I was having a heart attack and I was so relieved that Robert was able to contact the police.
"If we had not registered I don't know what we would have done."
Fife Council's Deaf Communication Service sign language interpreter Debbie Dougall said: "It's easy to forget how difficult it can be for a deaf person in a hearing world."
Ch Insp Alistair McKeen of Fife Constabulary said: "We are naturally delighted that in such a short space of time since the service was launched, it has been of benefit in a potentially life-threatening situation."
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