Radio delays could risk future deaths - coroner

Mark Townsend's brother said he was "one of the nicest people you would ever meet"

Football match stewards who became aware of a fan suffering a cardiac arrest could have reacted more quickly, a coroner has found.

Mark Townsend, 57, from Birmingham, collapsed at Hillsborough Stadium while watching West Brom play Sheffield Wednesday on 28 September last year.

In a prevention of future deaths report, senior coroner Tanyka Rawden said she was concerned about the length of time it took for staff to find a radio to call paramedics, but stressed the delay had not caused or contributed to Mr Townsend's death.

Sheffield Wednesday said following Mr Townsend's inquest it would explore whether there were ways to further improve the speed of communication on match days.

During the inquest at Sheffield's Medico-Legal Centre earlier this month, CCTV footage showed that when staff became aware of the medical incident, they appeared unsure of where to find a staff member with a radio.

In her subsequent report to Sheffield Wednesday FC, Ms Rawden said: "The court found that the actions of the stewards in moving to the bottom of the stairs leading to the W vomitory, before running towards the group of stewards and supervisors at the bottom of the stairs leading to the X vomitory, demonstrated that they did not know where to find a member of staff with a radio."

Ms Rawden said the delay amounted to about 20 seconds, with a radio call being made 11 seconds later.

"The court found this period of time did not cause or contribute to Mark's death, but has concerns that delays caused by stewards not being aware where the nearest radio is could cause delays in summonsing medical help in the future, and that may give rise to a risk of future deaths," she said.

Sheffield Wednesday has until 8 December to respond to the report.

Paying tribute to her husband at the time, Marion Townsend said: "I have been so lucky to experience a true all-encompassing love with Mark.

"Many people do not get that in their lifetime, and I am truly grateful."

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