A grieving family has been left shattered after a father-of-three died from sepsis, following what a coroner has ruled was a failure by paramedics to recognise the deadly signs of the condition.
39-year-old Christopher Street was sent back to bed with advice to take paracetamol after South East Coast Ambulance Service crews assessed him at his home. Tragically, he was found dead just hours later.
A Timeline of a Tragedy
The incident began when Mr. Street's partner, desperately concerned for his health, dialled 999. She reported he was suffering from severe shivering, vomiting, and had developed a rash—classic red flags for sepsis.
Two paramedics arrived at their home but concluded he was not in a life-threatening condition. They left without taking him to hospital. Mere hours after that fateful decision, Mr. Street was discovered deceased.
Coroner's Condemnation and Prevention of Future Deaths Report
The subsequent inquest into Mr. Street's death was damning. Assistant Coroner Karen Henderson highlighted a "gross failure" in his care. She found that the paramedics did not conduct a full set of observations and missed multiple opportunities to save his life.
In a powerful move, the coroner has issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the Secretary of State for Health and the ambulance trust. This legal document forces the authorities to respond and outline what actions they will take to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.
A Family's Heartbreaking Loss
Mr. Street's family have spoken of their immense loss, describing him as a devoted father whose death has left an unfillable void. They are now calling for immediate changes to paramedic training and assessment protocols to ensure no other family endures similar pain.
"We trusted them to help him," his partner stated. "They were the professionals, and we believed them when they said he would be okay. We will never get that trust back."
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It occurs when the immune system overreacts and starts to damage the body's own tissues and organs. Early recognition and treatment with antibiotics are critical for survival.
Key symptoms to watch for include:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- Skin that is mottled, bluish, or has a rash that does not fade under pressure
- A feeling that you "might die"
The NHS advises that if you or someone you know develops these symptoms, you must seek urgent medical help and ask directly: "Could it be sepsis?"
