Man died after wrongly told ambulance was on its way

A good Samaritan who called 999 after his suicidal friend self-harmed inadvertently left him to die after wrongly being told an ambulance was en-route, an inquest has been told.

- by Post Reporter

James Paul Michael Masheter's friends rallied around him after he called them to say he was “dying”, with one concerned pal turning up at the 42-year-old’s home in Hoyles Lane, Cottam, to help look after him until professional help arrived.

Preston-born Masheter, who had a history of ill mental health and self-harming, had been through a recent break-up and was having money troubles. He was distressed and bleeding from superficial wounds on March 31, 2024.

Four 999 calls were made that evening-with the unnamed friend leaving after being told an ambulance would be there “imminently”, a hearing held to establish the circumstances of Masheter’s death was told.

But the waiting time information was duff and no ambulance actually arrived until 8.10am the next day, with its crew finding Masheter dead inside his home.