A report into the death of Darryl Tomlinson, 31, has revealed critical failings in the emergency response system that led to him being run over and killed. Tomlinson had collapsed in the middle of an icy road in Marsh Green, Wigan, at 5:00 a.m. on January 9 of the previous year after a night of drinking.

A passerby found Tomlinson lying in the street and called 999, providing the location to an operator who had recently completed training. However, the operator, identified as a rookie call handler, recorded a partial address, causing emergency services to be dispatched to the incorrect location. As a result, ambulance and police personnel could not find Tomlinson.

More than two hours later, Megan Murphy, 26, driving the wrong way down the one-way street, struck Tomlinson with her vehicle. She reportedly ran over him three times. Following the collision, Murphy allegedly lied to the police, claiming she did not see him, despite having admitted to a friend that she had reversed over him. During the incident, she also referred to Tomlinson as a 'smackhead' as he lay under her car.

Paramedics were dispatched to the scene after a second 999 call was made to a different handler. However, they were unable to save Tomlinson's life, and he died at the roadside from his injuries approximately 20 minutes later.

The subsequent inquiry highlighted further issues with the second emergency call, noting that the staff involved had also recently completed their training and were in a mentorship period. The report indicated difficulties in obtaining the correct location and a delay in offering CPR advice. It was observed that the phone call was passed around to three different people.

The investigation determined that cognitive factors such as confusion and stress, along with competence and skills, contributed to the initial misidentification of Tomlinson's location by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). The caller had stated the location as Stranraer Road in Marsh Green, Wigan, but NWAS recorded it as simply Marsh Green, Wigan. This discrepancy led emergency services to the wrong address.

According to the report, if Tomlinson's location had been correctly identified after the first 999 call, emergency responders would likely have been able to treat him before the fatal collision.

NWAS has apologized for the failings within the organization. The report made recommendations for strengthening training and mentorship programs, improving location systems, and ensuring robust escalation procedures for situations where patients cannot be found.

Murphy was later sentenced to six years in prison on June 24 after being convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.