On Christmas Day last year, British Steve Cooke (35) was found dead in his own nest in Kent.
According to one report The 35-year-old called the emergency number on Christmas Day, with “extreme” breathing problems. Two days earlier, he had tested positive for covid-19.
An ambulance pulled out 26 minutes after the call, but due to communication problems, the ambulance personnel were sent to the wrong address. They did not succeed in locating Cooke.
His ex-girlfriend, Katie Milne, is strongly critical of the ambulance service’s efforts.
– He would no doubt have survived if he had received help, Milne says BBC.
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Some deaths with an unclear cause of death are reported in the UK and investigated by a so-called “coroner”, who must ensure that a cause of death is determined.
Coroner Sonia Hayes expresses concern after investigating the circumstances surrounding Cook’s death.
– In my opinion, there is a risk of future deaths, unless something is done, Hayes writes in the report.
The ambulance personnel must have managed to get into the home they were sent to on the first day of Christmas. It was empty. The exchange was notified, and Katie Milne was contacted to clarify where the 35-year-old was.
DEAD: Corona-infected Steve Cooke died in his own home on Christmas Eve, just 35 years old. Photo: Gofundme
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According to the report, the call lasted just over a minute. The person who called should not have stated the background of the call, asked for the correct address, or told that they were unable to locate Cooke.
Milne should also not have had time to answer the questions she was asked.
Coroner Hayes also points out that the original emergency call was not listened to again, in an attempt to establish the address provided. There he is said to have given the correct address, while the ambulance was sent to an address about five meters away.
The cause of death is determined to be pneumonia, as a consequence of covid-19 infection.
