Scots Dad Unfound After Ambulance Misses 999 Cardiac Arrest Call
A fatal incident at a car showroom in Coatbridge has raised significant concerns about emergency response protocols. David McClenaghan, a 57-year-old car sales manager, died from a cardiac arrest after an ambulance crew failed to locate him following a 999 call on August 26, 2018.
Incident Overview
McClenaghan fell ill in his office at Park’s showroom and called 999 at approximately 5:45 PM. The ambulance arrived shortly after, but the crew did not exit their vehicle, believing they were at an unconfirmed location. They left after seeing no sign of him.
Discovery of McClenaghan
It was not until an hour later that a security guard discovered McClenaghan unresponsive behind his office door. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead shortly before a second ambulance could arrive.
Findings from the Inquiry
A Fatal Accident Inquiry led by Sheriff Paul Haran revealed critical gaps in emergency protocols. The inquiry identified that the first ambulance crew’s decision to remain in their vehicle significantly impacted McClenaghan’s chances for survival. The call was logged without a clear policy on how dispatchers should manage situations with unconfirmed patient locations.
- Date of Incident: August 26, 2018
- Time of Initial Call: 5:45 PM
- Time Ambulance Arrived: 5:52 PM (7 minutes later)
- Time of Discovery: 6:45 PM
Recommendations for Improvement
In response to the findings, Sheriff Haran recommended that the Scottish Ambulance Service implement new telephony technology. This technology would assist call handlers in recognizing silent calls, improving response times to emergencies.
Following the incident, the Scottish Ambulance Service stated they have made significant improvements to their procedures and systems. There is a commitment to continually evaluate protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Family Impact
McClenaghan’s wife, Georgina, expressed dismay that she only learned of the ambulance’s visit a week after his death. Upon reviewing his mobile phone, she discovered pictures he had taken shortly before his call for help and realized that an ambulance had attended but left without finding him.
Georgina described her husband as a dedicated professional and a loving father to their two children. The family has been left devastated by this tragic incident, which highlights the need for better emergency response procedures.
Conclusion
This case underscores the critical nature of emergency response systems. The inquiry serves not only to establish what happened but also aims to implement changes that may save lives in the future. The tragedy of David McClenaghan highlights the importance of effective communication and thorough protocols in emergency situations.
