A heartbroken mum whose son collapsed during a football match said Nottingham City Council 'has not done anything' to address the concerns surrounding his death. Bridget Akwasi spoke during an inquest into her 13-year-old son's death.
Samuel Akwasi was playing for FC Cavaliers U13s against WBCY FC Rossoneri when he went into cardiac arrest at the Forest Recreation Ground, on May 7 last year. Two parents tried to save him with mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions.
But concerns have been raised over a potential delay caused while attempts were made to locate lifesaving defibrillators. Giving evidence during the second day of the inquest on Thursday, March 23, Edward Curry of Nottingham City Council said two defibrillators were inside the cafe in the park and at the sport zone, located at 100 metres and and 220 metres respectively.
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Mr Curry, who is the Head of Green Space and Natural Environment for the authority, told the hearing the reason for keeping them inside was to protect them from 'vandalism'. However, he said they will be brought out and replaced with new defibrillators outside.
Coroner Dr Elizabeth Didcock has made a point that the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were "only awarded six weeks prior to the hearing". She asked Mr Curry under oath if he is confident that the defibrillator inside the café is being checked weekly.
She added: "It troubles me that we are many months on and there has been limited progress." Proceeding to ask questions after Mr Curry's statement, Mrs Akwasi said: "Thank you very much for your time.
"It is breaking my heart as a mother because it has been over ten months and Nottingham City Council has not done anything.
"I think there is a form of neglect and what happened to us is being taken for granted. There has not been any condolences from council to us. And it worries me why that is."
Concerns were also raised by Samuel's coach Everton Richards, who said the pavilion at Forest Recreation Ground was locked, despite hiring the space for the match. He said he had to use his own nets that he keeps in the back of the car, and that no member of staff was actually on the ground.
He also stated that he had not received any condolences from City Council, and said that 250 other children were also affected by Samuel's loss. Mr Richards continued: "It just shows you that you are not respected."
Devastated dad Tubman Akwasi also expressed his thoughts during the hearing, adding: "I think there is a lot of confusion in this process, and who is responsible for what. My question is - who is held responsible for this?"
Concerns raised over ambulance access to the Forest Recreation Field grounds were also addressed by Mr Curry, who said the "topography of the park is quite dramatic". He told the inquest: "There are always some corners of the park that are vulnerable."
Mr Curry said that the council is looking at improving access for ambulances. He said that they will be sharing a code with the ambulance service for the bollard at the Forest Recreation Ground, however a witness from East Midlands Ambulance Service said this is something that should be discussed further, as it "might make things more difficult".
Dr Didcock is expected to deliver her conclusion on Friday afternoon, March 24, at Nottingham Council House. She added: "I will think about what I have heard.
"I will make some comments about ambulance access. I had some concerns about the speed of Nottingham City Council's response to this."
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