The death recently occurred of a much respected and loved Half Moon regular, Gordon Sunderland. His funeral at Yeovil attracted a massive turn-out on Monday 14 February. Probably the cleverest person in the bar (and that’s saying something!), he was a former senior boffin at Plessey and a top man in the MOD at Portland. A very distinguished scientist, gentleman, raconteur and inbiber. We miss him.
We send our sincere condolences to his two daughters and their families.
His sad demise at the age of only 74 raises some serious concerns. This is what happened.
One night in November last year he felt unwell. So unwell, he called an ambulance.
When they arrived, he was upstairs, in bed (he lived alone).
The ambulance crew refused to enter the premises, although he shouted down to them.
Impasse.
So he eventually and reluctantly agreed to come downstairs. In doing so, he fell, and broke his ankle. The ambulance crew carted him off to hospital In Yeovil.
Since the accident he was in and out of hospital in Verrington, Yeovil and latterly Exeter, where he was waiting to have a skin graft, and, possibly the amputation of his foot, a daunting and frightening prospect.
He died in Exeter of a heart attack on January 31st, just before his operation.
On the face of it there is a clear chain of events between his initial call for an ambulance and his untimely death. We hope that the authorities launch an enquiry and review their procedures and rules.
Many people live alone in the country. Some get ill. They will probably think twice before calling an ambulance.
If anyone who knew Gordon well would like to write a fuller appreciation of his life and work, please get in touch -Ed