A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a football club’s defibrillator kit was smashed up just hours after footballer Christian Eriksen’s life was saved by a similar device.
Surveillance footage captured the moment two people – apparently one male, one female – seized the machine, before hurling it repeatedly at the ground.
They then placed part of the instrument back in its casing, while appearing to smirk at their vicious deed.
Buxted FC said the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, was “heartbreaking”.
The East Sussex club posted the CCTV recording of the alleged theft later the same day. It has since racked up more than 1.3 million views.
Twitter users shared their horror at the pair’s callous act, branding it “disgusting” and “unbelievable”:
If you know who these people are then come forward. This is disgusting https://t.co/RQTUiCZ9WE
— Balls to Cancer (@Ballstocancer) June 14, 2021
Spread this far and wide to find these pond life scum. Yesterday’s incident with #ChristianEriksen proves just how valuable these machines are in the preservation of life #BuxtedFC #MidSussex #SussexFA #SussexPolice #Sussex #DefibsForAll https://t.co/4pa53xndQG
— James Edwards (@GrovePark27) June 13, 2021
Why would any moron vandalise a piece of equipment which saves lives, potentially one day their life even? If you are in the #Sussex area please RT and contact @sussex_police @Wealden_Police with info. These idiots need to be caught. https://t.co/Qf1I2M39F1
— Chief Supt Roy Smith (@roysmithMPS) June 14, 2021
Just Unbelievable, please help find these 2 scrotes someone in Sussex must know them . Just think a relative of yours might desperately need that life saving equipment https://t.co/wnNYdvN1LB
— Frank (@corporal_frank) June 14, 2021
This is disgusting! Unbelievable how anyone could even think to do this!??Maybe they should have thought twice about ‘spitting’ in the box on the wall - no alibi will get them out of their DNA! https://t.co/bbHmQoNM8B
— juss💙 (@jussisme) June 14, 2021
It came after Danish footballer Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during his side’s Euro 2020 game against Finland on Saturday.
The player had to be resuscitated by “defib”, Denmark’s team doctor, Morten Boesen, said.
A Sussex Police spokesman said on Monday: “We are investigating a report of a defibrillator being damaged and stolen at Buxted FC on 13 June.
“A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
“We’re aware of a video circulating online and would ask the public not to post speculative comments.”
We are investigating a report of a defibrillator being damaged and stolen at Buxted FC on 13 June.
— Sussex Police (@sussex_police) June 14, 2021
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
We're aware of a video circulating online and would ask the public not to post speculative comments. pic.twitter.com/a8eJbhQk8W
Richard Turner, chairman of the Mid-Sussex League Division One club, said the incident was “absolutely disgusting”.
“Those things save people’s lives and someone has come and trashed it,” he said.
