Paramedic who made petrol stop on urgent trip at centre of probe

ALLEGED 'COVER-UPS' ARE HIGHLIGHTED AFTER MAN DIED WAITING FOR AMBULANCE

- By SAM VOLPE Health reporter

A PARAMEDIC who stopped at a petrol station en-route to help a grandad is facing a probe by a health industry regulator.

Former Redcar steel worker Peter Coates was aged 62, in remission from cancer and had COPD when he died in 2019.

His death came after North East Ambulance Service paramedics were twice delayed in attending his address following a power cut that disrupted his oxygen supply.

Mr Coates' death was one of the cases flagged by ambulance service whistleblowers in 2022 - calling attention to the fact the coroner was not informed about the delays in getting to him, and that a paramedic who responded provided two statements, one of which was not shared with the coroner at the time.

The family believe this lack of candour led to coroners deciding not to hold a full inquest.

After pushing through legal channels, Peter's family hope that an inquest will finally take place in Middlesbrough in early 2026. This comes after a previously scheduled hearing was postponed unexpectedly and at short notice.

However, documents seen by us show that a paramedic who was tasked with attending the scene is facing investigation by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).