A North East man died after contracting a flesh-eating disease in a wound caused by pressure from an electronic curfew tag. Kevin O'Connell, 47, from Stockton, passed away on March 18, 2023, at the University Hospital of North Tees.
Inquest findings
An inquest into his death heard he died "due to the consequences of a wound infection at the site of a curfew tag on his right ankle, with the associated development of necrotising fasciitis". The wound resulted from pressure applied to Mr O'Connell's ankle by the curfew tag, at a time when his leg was swollen due to heart failure, the record of inquest states.
A post mortem determined Mr O'Connell's medical cause of death as "1a multiple organ failure, 1b sepsis, 1c infection at site of curfew tag on right ankle with development of necrotising fasciitis and 2 ischaemic heart disease; diabetes mellitus".
What is necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare and potentially fatal infection affecting the deeper layers of skin tissue. Commonly referred to as the 'flesh-eating disease', its symptoms can deteriorate rapidly within hours or over the course of several days, according to the NHS website.
Following the hearing, which commenced on September 29 at Teesside Magistrates' Court, area coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool Paul Appleton signed the record of inquest, which detailed the conclusions as to death as: "Kevin died due to the consequences of a wound infection at the site of a curfew tag on his right ankle, with the associated development of necrotising fasciitis."
"The right ankle wound resulted from pressure applied to Kevin's ankle by the curfew tag, at a time when his leg was swollen due to heart failure. Kevin's death occurred in the context of, and was contributed to by, naturally occurring disease."
Response and next steps
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Our sincere condolences are with Kevin O'Connell's family and loved ones. Electronic monitoring is supported through a number of checks and safeguards, with procedures in place to ensure any concerns are reported and acted on quickly."
Teesside coroner's office has since confirmed that no regulation 28 report will be issued in the wake of the inquest. Such reports are issued when coroners identify circumstances that pose a risk of future deaths occurring.
