Family fly out for Greek trial

Christopher Rochester died in Rhodes in June 2000

The family of a County Durham man who died on the Greek island of Rhodes are flying out for the trial of five medical staff.

They say the team could have done more to try to save 24-year-old Christopher Rochester, who died after falling 40ft from a balcony three years ago.

The trial has already been adjourned twice, but Christopher's stepfather, George Cummings, says the family will never give up their fight for justice.

He said: "We have been made aware of new evidence which could prove crucial."

Christopher, from Chester-Le-Street, died in June 2000.

The three doctors and two nurses have been charged with manslaughter by negligence.

Kidney swapped

A UK inquest into Mr Rochester's death heard that he had to wait 40 minutes for an ambulance; his injuries were not properly diagnosed and that he should not have died.

It was also discovered when his body was returned to the UK that one of his kidneys had been removed without the knowledge of his family.

The UK coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death contributed to by neglect.

In recording his verdict, North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle said he had "great concern about the standards of medical care" in Rhodes.

Mr Rochester, a bar manager, had flown to Rhodes, where his brother Keith managed a nightclub in the party district of Faliraki, to look for work.

He fell from the balcony after being on the island for just four days.