Inquest Held Into 67-year-old Lancashire Man's Death

A lawyer representing the family of a man who died after an operation to remove a tumour from his colon today said they were devastated to have lost a ‘loving husband, father and grandfather’ following an inquest investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

David Ross, of Oswaldtwistle in Accrington, Lancashire, underwent keyhole surgery at the Royal Blackburn Hospital on 30 April 2012 after a doctor discovered a cancerous tumour.

But just a few weeks after being discharged the 67-year-old father of one was rushed back into the hospital suffering from septecemia and e-coli which caused his wound to rupture.

The former van driver faced two further five-hour operations on 4 and 6 June 2012 but during the second medical procedure David’s kidneys failed and he suffered a cardiac arrest and a hypoxic brain injury – caused when the brain is starved of oxygen.

His devastated wife of 45 years, Joan, and the couple’s daughter, Jennifer, were represented at the inquest into his death at Blackburn Coroner’s Court by Sharon Williams, an expert medical and patient’s rights lawyer from Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office.

Michael Singleton, the Coroner for Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, recorded a narrative verdict and said David died from septicaemia and a hypoxic brain injury, which are “rare but recognised complications of appropriate surgery”.

Following the verdict Sharon Williams said: “It has been a very difficult seven months for Joan and Jennifer as they have struggled to come to terms with the fact their loving husband, and father has gone.

“They are understandably devastated but we will continue to work with the family in their battle for answers in the coming weeks.”