Ambulance staff trial added to grief, says friend

Kevin McCauley said he and Frazer Irvine, right, were best friends

The case of a man who died after taking an overdose should not have gone to trial, his best friend has said.

Frazer Irvine, 39, died on 18 March 2022 after he called 999 and had a cardiac arrest while emergency responders were at his home in Trinity, Jersey.

Ambulance technician Tom Le Sauteur and paramedic John Sutherland were found guilty in June of not caring properly for Mr Irvine.

Mr Irvine's best friend Kevin McCauley said sitting through the eight-day trial had added to his grief: "We saw a lot of things that were very traumatising so it brought back everything, for me, for the family, that we wanted to forget."

All Frazer Irvine "ever wanted in life was a partner, a dog and a child", Kevin McCauley said

Mr McCauley said his friend was a "big friendly giant" who would give you the "shirt off his back".

"We were very close. We were best of friends. We done everything together," he said.

"We spent a lot of time together. And he loved my children you know.

"All Frazer ever wanted in life was a partner, a dog and a child, and you can tell that by the videos and photos of him."

He said: "He was definitely the life and soul. I think that’s why we clicked straight away, because we both had that sense of humour and personality.

"We both bounced off each other and I seen Frazer as a big brother.

"He was a lot taller than me. He’s about six foot two. But he’s a big friendly giant."

'No winner'

Mr McCauley said of sitting through the trial: "It was very difficult, you know. I only done what Frazer would do for me.

"We always stuck by each other. And that's what I was gonna do, I was gonna stick by Frazer through the whole trial. It was a very, very sad case."

He said: "I found it very traumatising.

"It’s difficult to get it out of my head and no-one is a winner in this case. I’ve lost my best friend.

"The paramedics have lost their reputation and it’s been very difficult, the whole trial."

He said "it shouldn’t have gone to trial" and he was "just glad it’s over".

Mr McCauley said he has been in regular contact with Mr Irvine's family.

He said both he and the family have been subject to trolling, which was "very sad".

'One of a kind'

Mr McCauley said Mr Irvine was "one of a kind" who did not deserve to die.

"All he done was rang up and asked for help," he said.

"He didn’t receive the care that he should have received."

Mr Le Sauteur and Mr Sutherland were given a conditional discharge earlier this month.

Jersey's Royal Court heard evidence the pair had felt threatened by Mr Irvine’s behaviour and withdrew to call for police back up.

The prosecution said further delays to brief officers and to put on protective clothing meant that the paramedics "failed to take reasonable care" for Mr Irvine’s health and safety.

They have offered their sympathy to Mr Irvine’s family and friends.

“The death of a young person is their prime is always a tragic loss,” they said.

“We would like to make it clear that we do not support any negative comments about Frazer to his family”.

The prosecution has been criticised by fellow first responders and health staff and a fundraiser set up for the pair, who remain suspended, has raised more than £47,000.

Mr McCauley said he has been in touch with Mr Irvine's family about erecting a memorial bench or plaque in his memory.

"I'll cherish the videos and photos I've got for the rest of my life," he said.

"He will never be forgotten."