Paramedics tried to revive Dando

Barry George denies murdering Jill Dando

The emergency services made lengthy efforts to resuscitate Jill Dando at the scene and on the way to hospital, the jury at her murder trial is told.

Barry George, 41, from Crookham Road, Fulham, west London, denies murdering Miss Dando on 26 April 1999.

The court has heard details of the events which followed the discovery of Miss Dando's body on the doorstep of her Fulham home.

Miss Dando was found dead on her doorstep

The first police officer to reach the house told the court that when he arrived the television presenter showed no signs of life.

PC Colin Jones said he was driving along Fulham Palace Road when he received a call at 1151 BST to go to Gowan Avenue where a female believed to be Jill Dando had received multiple stab wounds.

When he arrived two minutes later he felt her wrist for a pulse, but found none.

"There was blood on her coat and face," he told the court.

An ambulance arrived and then a helicopter crew. Her body was moved closer to the pavement.

Lengthy and sustained attempts were made by others to resuscitate her, PC Jones said.

She was put into the ambulance at 1225 BST and taken to the trauma unit at Charing Cross Hospital, west London, where further attempts were made to revive her.

But the efforts proved fruitless and Miss Dando was certified dead at 1305 BST.

Handbag contents

The court also heard from exhibits officer Detective Constable Tim Snuggs who said an extensive search of the murder scene and Gowan Avenue started at 1800 BST on the day of her death and spanned four days.

The front pathway of her house, 29 Gowan Avenue, was first searched - some of her clothing, her handbag and a bullet casing were recovered.

Police made thorough searches of the area near Miss Dando's house

Then a hoarding was built to preserve the scene while scientific examinations were carried out, said DC Snuggs.

Fingerprint tests went on throughout the night and police also used a crane and a drain-clearing machine.

"It was an extremely thorough search. They were asked to retrieve anything in the street - chewing gum, pin badges cigarette ends," he said.

He recovered the red jacket Miss Dando was wearing, a beige raincoat, her BMW keys, and one of her earrings.

A bag she was carrying contained shoes, cosmetics, hankies and a carton of milk.

She also had a white plastic bag from a local fish shop and her handbag containing her mobile phone, purse, credit cards and money.

"The things of value were still inside," said the officer.

He recovered a shell case from the mat in her doorway close to the handbag and a bullet.