Huddersfield pensioner died in house after 999 operator got address wrong

Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:00

A pensioner died during a house fire in Huddersfield because an emergency call operator got her address wrong.

Pauline Taylor, who lived in Primrose Hill, suffered from arthritis and psoriasis, and had complications with hip replacements in the past that left her unable to walk.

An inquest at Bradford Coroner’s Court heard how the 74-year-old’s fire alarm triggered an installed care phone system to contact emergency services.

However, a call operator for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service registered her address as 118 Whitehead Lane, instead of 108.

Call operator Robert Rutter appeared in court to give evidence, citing the tragedy as a result of “human error.”

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