Death of Inverness bus passenger (80) prompts call for drivers to be trained in life-saving CPR techniques

A call has been made for bus drivers to be trained in first aid techniques after an elderly passenger was taken ill on an Inverness bus and died.

The incident happened in Grant Street, Merkinch, on Saturday afternoon.

Samantha Gault, the manager of the Nip Inn, and Elizabeth MacDonald, one of the bar staff, immediately responded to a call for help but although they tried desperately for more than 15 minutes to save the 80-year-old man’s life, sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mrs Gault is now calling for bus drivers to be trained in CPR - or cardiopulmonary resuscitation - a life-saving first aid technique used when someone has stopped breathing and their heart has stopped beating.

“It could make a difference,” said Mrs Gault, who wished she could have done more to save the man.

• Grant Street cordoned off by police

At the time of Saturday’s incident, Mrs Gault was working in the bar where a darts event was taking place.

“All I heard was a commotion going on outside,” she said.

“Then I heard, ‘has anyone done CPR training?’ so myself and Elizabeth went running over to the bus to find the gentleman lying on the floor.

“Another person was trying to do CPR but was not 100 per cent sure.”

The technique involves a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths to keep blood circulating and oxygen flowing to the brain until professional medical help arrives.

Mrs Gault took over administering CPR with her colleague and continued to help after the paramedics arrived.

Although the paramedics tried to revive him, sadly they were unable to do so.

Mrs Gault said she learned CPR as part of her first aid training while studying for an HNC in social care at Moray College.

“This was the first time I have had put it into practice,” she said.

“I wish I could have done more. I feel so bad.

“My heart goes out to his family.

“When I went back into the pub, I had the shakes and started crying.”

Mrs Gault said she felt sorry for the bus driver who seemed at a loss as to what to do.

Other staff and customers also rallied to help passengers caught up in the events and to direct traffic before police closed the road for a period.

One elderly lady, for example, had to be helped from the bus and a lift was arranged for a group of young women going out for a birthday celebration.

The pub also arranged for taxis for stranded passengers.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said: "We can confirm that, unfortunately, a customer became unwell on board Inverness Service 3 on April 26.

“Our driver and another customer provided assistance and called an ambulance."

When asked whether a policy is in place that drivers are trained in CPR or first aid, Stagecoach declined to comment further.

A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed officers received a report of a person taken unwell in the Grant Street area at about 1.25pm on Saturday,.

“Emergency services attended and an 80-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene,” the spokesperson said.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

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