A former SAS soldier who launched a £200,000 lawsuit against CNN, claiming he was poisoned by toxic fumes from ISIS blasts, has died in hospital. Adam Dobby, 54, passed away at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on October 30, succumbing to acute heart failure and a collapsed lung.
Legal Battle Over Warzone Exposure
An inquest into his death was opened at Oxford Coroner's Court on December 2, where the court heard Mr Dobby had been exposed to toxic substances during his career. The supremely fit veteran, once capable of running 56-hour ultra-marathons, worked as a security consultant for CNN in Iraq and Syria between 2015 and 2016.
According to High Court documents, Mr Dobby was an independent contractor whose role involved advising news crews, liaising with locals, and accompanying expeditions. During this period, Islamic State militants employed a tactic of setting fire to oil wells and chemical plants, creating thick, toxic plumes to disguise their movements.
His barrister, Michael Rawlinson KC, stated Mr Dobby was "required to work in an atmosphere which was constantly poisoned by the smoke and fume contained within these plumes." He alleged CNN failed to provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) or training, leading to him regularly inhaling a dangerous cocktail of soot, smoke, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
A Life of Service Cut Short
Mr Dobby, who served in the SAS from 1993 to 2000, first noticed shortness of breath in 2017. His condition worsened in 2022, and he was diagnosed in 2023 with obliterative bronchiolitis, a disease that scars the lungs' small airways. He claimed this damage necessitated a lung transplant and was a direct result of his exposure while working for the American broadcaster.
In June, he initiated legal proceedings, seeking hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages. CNN, however, denied all liability in its defence. The broadcaster's barrister, Jayne Adams KC, argued that Mr Dobby worked in the same conditions as news crews and that no known risk of respiratory issues was identified at the time.
CNN's defence also stated that suitable PPE, including 3M masks, was available when chemical weapon risks were present, and it was not an environment where they were "habitually required." Furthermore, they contended that Mr Dobby had signed a termination agreement releasing the company from claims.
Tributes and Unanswered Questions
Following his death, friends paid heartfelt tributes to a "kindest, most genuine soul" who was also an accomplished war photographer. His work, exhibited in Gloucestershire and London, aimed to highlight the stories of those affected by conflict.
One friend wrote on Facebook: "His vision to bring to light stories from conflict - of the people truly affected by the brutal fighting which continues to dominate our news." Another added: "You faced so many battles but soldiered on. I know you’ve finally found the peace that was so hard to find here on Earth."
The High Court case had not yet been heard by a judge, and it remains unclear what will happen to the claim following Mr Dobby's passing. A full inquest into his death has been adjourned and is scheduled to resume on March 30. The Daily Mail has approached CNN for comment regarding this recent development.
