AN ambulance technician said being nervous about attending a party in Alvaston had affected his decision-making when he left an unconscious man in the care of drunk friends.
Ian Wilson was speaking yesterday at the inquest of Jason Dance, who died after he went into cardiac arrest minutes after Mr Wilson and a colleague left him in the recovery position at a party at Griffin Close.
Mr Wilson, and trainee Louise Stanley, returned to the house and attempted to resuscitate Mr Dance, 33, of Bingham Street, Allenton, but were unsuccessful.
Coroner Dr Robert Hunter suggested Mr Wilson had not carried out two tests on Mr Dance that he should have – checking his blood oxygen and glucose levels.
Mr Wilson, who had initially been called because Mr Dance had collapsed after drinking 80% volume spirit absinthe, left the man in the recovery position and told his friends to call 999 if his condition deteriorated.
Mr Wilson said: "I had been nervous about this job from receiving it because of the location.
"I have been to quite a lot of jobs in that part of the Alvaston estate where we have had to call police to help us. I have also had violence where patients have kicked off with police."
He said this had "regrettably" affected his decision-making.
Under caution, Dr Hunter asked Mr Wilson why he had not taken Mr Dance to hospital when he attended the first time. Dr Hunter said: "I would suggest to you there is no excuse and you just didn't want to take another drunk to hospital."
Mr Wilson replied: "I would say no to that. I have thought I have always treated everybody all the same whatever their colour or creed and whether they had been drinking or not."
Dr Hunter asked him if he thought it was acceptable to have left someone who was "in a coma", in the recovery position with people who were drunk. Mr Wilson replied: "In retrospect no, but at the time..."
The inquest continues
