Ambulance boss caught up in meeting when asked to attend crash which killed dad

An ambulance boss was caught up in a meeting she did not need to attend when she was asked to respond to a fatal motorbike crash that claimed the life of dad-of-five Aaron Morris. The tragic incident occurred in County Durham on July 1, 2022, leaving Aaron lying on the road for nearly an hour after his motorbike collided with a car. The ambulance, which should have arrived within 18 minutes of the initial 999 call, took 54 minutes to reach the scene, resulting in Aaron’s untimely death at the University Hospital of North Durham.

During the inquest into Aaron’s death, it was revealed that the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) acknowledged shortcomings in handling Aaron’s case. The Senior Assistant Coroner, Crispin Oliver, was asked by Sam Harmel, representing Aaron’s family, to consider neglect in determining the cause of Aaron’s death. NEAS disclosed that a Clinical Team Leader (CTL) was located approximately 9.1 miles away and could have attended the scene on the day of the collision. However, the CTL, Sarah Hall, was engrossed in a non-essential meeting and did not respond promptly when her availability was inquired about.

The court heard that if Ms. Hall had responded promptly when requested at 12.40pm, she might have been the first on the scene, potentially making a significant difference in the outcome. Instead, an ambulance from a private company was dispatched, and Aaron tragically passed away at 6.40pm despite having a 95% survival chance from his injuries. NEAS admitted to several failings in handling Aaron’s case, with Benjamin Barber, a locality manager and paramedic, acknowledging the shortcomings during the inquest.

The inquest shed light on the importance of timely and efficient emergency response, underscoring the critical role that swift action can play in saving lives in emergency situations. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the vital responsibilities shouldered by emergency response services and the repercussions of delays in responding to emergencies.

In conclusion, the tragic outcome of Aaron Morris’s case highlights the need for stringent protocols and swift action in emergency response situations to prevent avoidable loss of life. It underscores the crucial role of all personnel involved in emergency services in ensuring timely and effective responses to emergencies, ultimately making a significant difference in the outcomes for those in need.