THE family of a man who tragically died choking on a steak dinner have raised concerns over a volunteer medic sent to save his life.
They claim the medic responded to the urgent emergency call with faulty equipment.
Paul Barnes, 63, tragically passed away at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in March after choking on a steak a week earlier.
He was hailed as a “legend” by locals in East Harling where he was living with his daughter-in-law and three-year-old granddaughter.
His family have now raised concerns after the first person to arrive at the scene of Paul’s choking episode was a community first responder with a broken defibrillator.
An inquest into Paul’s tragic death has since heard that the family were enjoying a “steak night”, a tradition on Wednesdays, when the horror unfolded.
The court heard Paul was found unresponsive and “grey in the face” after choking on his steak.
Emergency services were immediately scrambled and later found a two-inch long piece of steak lodged deep in his throat.
At this point Paul had gone into cardiac arrest, he was rushed to hospital but was found to have suffered a hypoxic brain injury and was placed into palliative care.
The first on scene, a community responder from the Norfolk Accident and Rescue Service charity, arrived with a broken defibrillator.
The responder then asked a member of Paul’s family to drive to the nearest fire station to ask to borrow theirs, which he promptly did.
It then emerged that Paul did not have a shockable heart rhythm, which meant the equipment was not required.
Johanna Thompson, area coroner for Norfolk, told the inquest: “This would have exacerbated what must have already been a very distressing situation.”
The court also heard evidence that a medical device used to assist with a person’s airway, had been incorrectly placed.
The obstruction in Paul’s throat was reportedly not seen by either the volunteer or the medic who arrived next.
A paramedic who arrived later described the scene as “chaotic” however the error’s made are not thought to have affected the outcome.
Ms Thompson concluded that Paul had died an accidental death.
Members of Paul’s family have since led touching tributes to the retired church restorer.
