The family of a dad who died at an “off-grid” hutters camp after an ambulance failed to attend have won more than half-a-million pounds in damages.
Brian O’Neill, 59, was visiting his hut at Carbeth, in Stirlingshire, in June 2020 when he fell and suffered a serious head injury.
The family of Mr O’Neill, who was married with three children and three grandchildren, raised an action against the Scottish Ambulance Service board at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, which was contested.
A judge ruled yesterday there was a causal link between failures on the part of a service employee and Brian’s death.
Lord Young said unchallenged evidence of a medical consultant had revealed that “if Mr O’Neill had been assessed at hospital, basic wound repairs would have resulted in the head laceration being sutured or stitched and he would not have suffered the loss of blood which led to his death”.
After a 999 call, a handler categorised Brian’s case as requiring further triage and remote consultation. Trainee advanced paramedic Elaine Noden then called back but no ambulance was sent.
Lord Young said in his judgement: “I conclude that Ms Noden failed in a number of duties incumbent upon her.”