Father to sue ambulance service

Lewis died on Monday at Warrington General Hospital

The father of a two-year-old boy who died after paramedics allegedly failed to examine him properly has said he will sue the ambulance service.

Lewis Urmston-Brown, of Runcorn, Cheshire, died in hospital on Monday, shortly before his parents were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Chris Brown, 41, and Michelle, 39, were released without charge when tests proved Lewis had fallen in a play area.

The North West Ambulance Service said a full investigation was under way.

Mr Brown has pledged to sue them for what he describes as an "outrageous" situation.

He and his partner claimed they dialled for an ambulance on Sunday but when paramedics arrived they gave the little boy a cursory examination before leaving - "like it was all too much trouble and they could not wait to get away".

The Trust has launched a full investigation into this incident North West Ambulance Service

In the early hours of Monday they woke to discover their son unconscious and frothing at the mouth.

He was taken to Warrington General Hospital where he died.

Mr Brown said: "Not only did our son die but we were then accused of killing him and all because the ambulance staff failed to do their job properly.

"If they had given him a decent examination they would have realised he needed hospital treatment and he would still be alive today.

"They did not examine him properly.

'Two-minute job'

He added: "It was a two-minute job and they were off, it was like it was all too much trouble and they could not wait to get away."

Lewis's mother said: "I don't know how we're going to cope with losing Lewis like this.

"A massive part of us has been ripped out and can never be replaced."

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said he offered his "deepest sympathy to the patient's parents and family".

He said: "The Trust responded to a call at a private address in Halton Brook at 7.26pm on Sunday June 15 2008.

'Serious nature'

"This was in relation to an incident earlier in the day.

"A paramedic crew attended and were on scene for 15 minutes during which time a complete assessment was undertaken. The patient was not conveyed to hospital.

"A subsequent call was received by 999 operators at 3.13am on Monday June 16.

"The patient was examined again and then taken to Warrington Hospital but sadly died.

He added: "As with all clinical incidents of a serious nature, the Trust has launched a full investigation into this incident."

"Early indications of the investigation show that all necessary paperwork and notes were completed as a record of the paramedics' response.

"The results of the investigation will be provided to the Coroner's office."