Man's death on operating table 'an accident' (From Witney Gazette)

Man's death on operating table 'an accident'

6:00pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News

THE death of a lung cancer patient at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital was an accident, an inquest heard on Wednesday.

Leslie Crossfield, of Windmill Close, North Leigh, near Witney, was undergoing his fifth operation since his diagnosis last year when he died on the operating table on September 10.

The inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard the 82-year-old’s cause of death was catastrophic airway haemorrhage caused by perforation of the pulmonary artery.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said: “He underwent a bronchoscopy, but the procedure resulted in a perforation of the pulmonary artery, causing him to bleed to death in the operating theatre.”

A statement from Edward Black, consultant thoracic surgeon, said a “massive” bleed started after the perforation which could not be stopped.

Mr Crossfield’s son Robert told the inquest: “We understand what Mr Black did couldn’t have been any more helpful.”

Mr Crossfield said his dad, a retired welder, “knew the risks”. “He was prepared to take that,” he added.