A CITY cab firm has become the first in Scotland to introduce life-saving devices in its vehicles to help people who suffer a cardiac arrest.

Glasgow Taxis will carry 15 defibrillators in its cabs in the round-the-clock trial.

The life-saving scheme has seen drivers being trained in using the electronic devices to help them deal with cardiac arrests near their taxis.

It will also increase the number accessible to the public with more taxis carrying the devices if successful.

Stephen Flynn, chairman of Glasgow Taxis, said: “By introducing 15 potentially-lifesaving defibrillators to our taxis we are utilising the very natural willingness of our drivers to help people along with a test of the benefits of having these machines available in our vehicles, not only for driver use but to the wider communities of Glasgow.

“It’s a modest outlay which we have committed to over a three-year period and if even one machine helps one person in that time, it will have been worth it many times over.”

Stephen Lalley, a driver who previously suffered heart problems, now has a defibrillator in his taxi.

He said: “I was thinking about it when we got our training, quite often when we pick people up on a dark night and in the rain they’ll say to us: ‘Aw driver, yer a lifesaver’ - well that phrase could take on a whole new meaning now.

“I think it’s a brilliant idea and we’re all very proud to represent an organisation which wants to help the people of its city in ways such as this.”

David McColgan of British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: “A cardiac arrest is the ultimate medical emergency and every minute without CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival.

“When someone has a cardiac arrest every second counts and evidence shows that an individual is considerably more likely to survive discharge from hospital and with favourable outcomes, if shocked by a bystander rather than having to wait for an ambulance. “