Probe into death after ambulance delay continues

REVIEW BY EXPERT DUE AHEAD OF A FULL INQUEST

- By SAM VOLPE Health reporter

AN EXPERT report from a doctor is awaited as inquest proceedings continue in the case of a County Durham man who died after waiting more than an hour for an ambulance.

Andrew Watson, 32, died six years ago on October 10, 2019.

Andrew’s family believe he was failed by North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and the first 999 call made in his situation should have been treated as a category 1 case - the most serious - from the outset, rather than initially a category 2 case.

On the morning of October 10, Andrew, who lived in Langley Moor, visited his GP complaining of a sore throat. He was prescribed antibiotics. At 5.43pm that day, he called 999 as he was struggling to breathe.

He rang again at 6.23pm. And then, when his condition had worsened to the point he was unresponsive, at 6.35pm, a worker at his supported living facility called again.