UPDATE: A heartbreaking inquest reveals that Peter Coates, a 62-year-old grandfather from Redcar, tragically died after waiting over 40 minutes for an ambulance that failed to arrive in time. His family is now grappling with the emotional toll of his final moments spent struggling to breathe without necessary oxygen support.
The devastating incident occurred on March 14, 2019, when Mr. Coates, suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), called emergency services at 4:01 AM after a power cut disrupted his oxygen supply. Despite being assigned a category 2 priority, which typically guarantees a response within 18 minutes, the ambulance did not arrive until 4:43 AM, nearly 45 minutes later.
During the inquest at Teesside Magistrates Court, his daughter Kellie Coates expressed her family’s anguish, stating, “The traumatic wait that my dad had haunts me now. The desperation he must have felt.” Tragically, by the time paramedics reached the home, Mr. Coates had already succumbed to a lack of oxygen.
The inquest revealed that the first ambulance crew could not respond due to malfunctioning electronic gates at their station caused by the same power outage affecting Mr. Coates. A second crew, dispatched from Coulby Newham, also encountered delays, further exacerbating the situation.
A medical expert testified that the crucial loss of oxygen was directly linked to Mr. Coates’ death, emphasizing that even a short period without oxygen could prove fatal. Dr. Simon Quantrill stated, “Oxygen is the key factor,” highlighting the urgency of the situation as Mr. Coates made his distress call.
The inquest also addressed troubling practices within the North East Ambulance Service, which had previously faced criticism for altering or failing to disclose critical documents to coroners. The service acknowledged “historical failings” in this case, which has raised serious concerns about emergency response protocols.
Kellie Coates further lamented how the family only learned of these failings through media reports, stating, “We were told they got to him as quickly as they could. It was only three years later that we found out this wasn’t the case.” Her father’s case has sparked discussions about the need for accountability and transparency in emergency medical services.
The inquest continues, with additional testimonies expected from ambulance service personnel over the coming days. As the family seeks closure, the broader implications of this tragedy resonate strongly, pressing for urgent reforms in emergency response systems.
Stay connected for updates on this developing story as the inquest proceeds, revealing more about what went wrong that fateful morning.
Join our dedicated WhatsApp community for breaking news and top stories delivered directly to your phone.
