Grandad died after ambulance crew were trapped by station gates during power cut

An inquest heard that Peter Coates died in March 2019 after his home oxygen failed during a power cut and an ambulance crew could not leave their station because electric gates were jammed.

An inquest at Teesside Crown Court heard that 62-year-old Peter Coates died in March 2019 after his home oxygen machine failed during a power cut. An ambulance was dispatched from the Redcar station but was unable to exit because electric gates were jammed. A different crew reached the home 47 minutes after the first call and Mr Coates was later confirmed dead. The case has been raised again amid questions about what information was shared with the coroner and the family. Reported details: - Mr Coates had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and relied on an electric oxygen machine, which stopped when a power cut occurred just before 04:00 GMT on 14 March 2019. - Emergency services recorded the call and an ambulance was allocated three minutes after the call, but the crew could not leave the station because the electric gates were locked and a manual override was not found. - A second crew entered the house 47 minutes after the initial call; Mr Coates was later pronounced dead. - At the inquest, a doctor said it could not be determined whether the delay contributed to the death, and the family said they had not been told about the initial delay and that some statements had not been shared with the coroner. Summary: The inquest presented evidence about a power cut, a failed oxygen machine, and difficulties getting a dispatched ambulance out of its station, and it noted questions about disclosure of information to the coroner and the family. Medical testimony stated that it was unclear whether the response delay changed the outcome. Family members had sought a full inquest after learning some statements were not previously shared. Undetermined at this time.