URGENT UPDATE: A family is mourning the devastating loss of Peter Coates, a 62-year-old grandfather from Redcar, who died after waiting over 45 minutes for an ambulance that ultimately arrived too late. His daughter, Kellie Coates, described how the night of March 14, 2019, haunts her family as they grapple with the traumatic circumstances of his final moments.
The inquest, just held at Teesside Magistrates Court, revealed shocking details about the delays faced by emergency services. After experiencing a power cut that disabled his oxygen supply machines, Coates called 999 at 4:01 AM. Tragically, he passed away before help could reach him, with an ambulance arriving only at 4:43 AM.
Kellie, visibly shaken, recounted her father’s desperate plea during the 999 call: “You better get someone quick.” The inquest revealed that the first ambulance crew could not leave the station due to malfunctioning electronic gates caused by the power outage. A second crew dispatched from a farther location faced additional delays, which ultimately contributed to the loss of precious time.
Dr. Simon Quantrill, an expert witness, testified that the lack of oxygen was a critical factor in Coates’ death. He stated, “Being without oxygen for even a short time could have been fatal,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Kellie expressed her family’s distress, stating, “The traumatic wait that my dad had haunts me now. The desperation he must have felt.” She pointed out that had the ambulance arrived as expected, her father might have survived. The family lives just minutes away from the local ambulance station, making the delays even more heartbreaking.
The inquest also highlighted systemic issues within the North East Ambulance Service, which has acknowledged “historical failings” in its processes. An investigation by Dame Marianne Griffiths cited “leadership dysfunction” as a contributing factor to the delays.
As the inquest continues, with more testimonies expected in the coming days, the Coates family is determined to seek accountability for the circumstances surrounding Peter’s untimely death. The loss of their father has left an indelible mark, and they hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The inquest is scheduled to conclude on January 8. As the community rallies around the Coates family, many are left wondering how such delays could happen in a system designed to save lives.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
