Ambulance workers arrested on suspicion of neglecting dying patient

Published on Tuesday 30 December 2008 23:32

TWO ambulance workers have been arrested on suspicion of neglecting a dying man, police confirmed last night.

The employees of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust, were taken into custody following the sudden death of a man at his home in Brighton, East Sussex, on 29 November.

It is understood the two men had attended an emergency call at the house of a man called Barry Baker.

The pair, aged 35 and 44, were arrested on 5 December on suspicion of neglecting to perform a duty in a public office contrary to common law. Both men have been suspended from their jobs and bailed until next month while a police investigation is carried out. No charges have yet been made.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police investigating the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man at his home in Braybon Avenue in Brighton during the early hours of Saturday 29 November arrested two men on 5 December.

"The men, aged 35 and 44 from the Brighton area, have been questioned concerning public office duty of care matters and bailed to a later date in January 2009. No charges have been brought.

"On 17 December an inquest into the death of the man named as Barry Baker was opened by Her Majesty's Coroner for the City of Brighton and Hove and adjourned while police and coroner's investigations are pursued."

A South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokeswoman said: "South East Coast Ambulance Service has suspended two male members of staff from duty as police conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man at his home in Brighton, on 29 November."