The father of Darryl Tomlinson, 31, has accused the North West Ambulance Service of costing his son his life after an ambulance was dispatched to the wrong location following a 999 call. Paul Tomlinson stated he has forgiven his son's killer, personal trainer Megan Murphy, 26, but is determined to seek justice for the perceived failures of emergency responders.
Darryl Tomlinson collapsed in the road in Wigan on January 9 last year after a night out. A passerby called 999, but a rookie call handler mistakenly sent the ambulance to an incorrect address, preventing it from reaching Tomlinson. Approximately 20 minutes later, Murphy, driving the wrong way down a one-way street with an ice-covered windscreen, struck Tomlinson three times with her vehicle.
Despite a second 999 call prompting paramedics to respond, Tomlinson died at the roadside from catastrophic chest injuries approximately 30 minutes later. Murphy was subsequently jailed for six years for causing death by dangerous driving.
Paul Tomlinson expressed his disgust at the handling of his son's death, asserting that the ambulance service's initial failures contributed significantly to the tragic outcome. He stated that the service had fallen short from the moment of the initial call to the time his son was struck. "They failed him from the beginning of the phone call to when he got struck," he said.
Murphy, after hitting Tomlinson, reportedly called a friend and referred to him as a "smackhead." She later told police she had not seen him. Paul Tomlinson voiced outrage at this comment, emphasizing that Murphy did not know his son and that such a label was a sign of disrespect. "Even if he was a smackhead which he is definitely not, it’s still a life," he stated.
An internal inquiry by the North West Ambulance Service found that the first 999 call was handled by a trainee operator who had only completed six weeks of training, leading to the incorrect address being given. A second operator, also new to trauma calls, failed to provide adequate CPR instructions. Mr. Tomlinson criticized the service's reliance on inexperienced staff, noting that mentors were present and protocols should have been followed. He also claimed the service lied about calling the initial caller back.
Paul Tomlinson is seeking a full written public apology from the ambulance service and a change in protocols to prevent similar incidents. He stated that he cannot find closure until he has fought for justice for his son and received all the answers. "It’s so easy to be fobbed off by an apology," he said.
In the 17 months since Darryl's death, his father noted that Murphy has shown no remorse. "Any person who has driven over someone three times should say I am sorry. But there’s been nothing from her," he said. He expressed that an apology would have altered his perception of her actions, but ultimately, nothing can change the fact that his son has been lost.
A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service offered apologies for the mistakes made in managing the 999 calls for Darryl and expressed deep regret for the shortcomings in their response. The service stated they have been open with the family and are committed to taking action to prevent recurrence.