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Gasfitter pleads not guilty over baby's hospital death

By AAP Newswire

Sep 20, 2024

Gas and oxygen connections in a hospital (file image) — A gasfitter's negligence allegedly led to a baby being given a lethal dose of nitrous oxide. -AAP Image

A gasfitter accused of negligently killing a newborn baby who was fatally administered nitrous oxide instead of oxygen in hospital will fight the charge at trial.

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Christopher Laurie Turner faces a charge of manslaughter by criminal negligence related to the infant's death in Bankstown hospital on July 13, 2016.

The boy, who required resuscitation post-birth, died of severe hypoxemia in the southwest Sydney hospital's neonatal ward 57 minutes after being born.

Police allege Turner failed official standards when certifying the ward's oxygen links, leading to a gas connection that gave the baby a lethal dose of nitrous oxide rather than oxygen.

He is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm by a negligent act or omission to another baby on the ward, who suffered a brain injury after receiving the wrong gas.

On Friday, Turner entered pleas of not guilty to both charges in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.

Judge John Pickering ordered a continuation of his bail and the matter was adjourned to October 9 for mention.

Turner was charged in August 2022 following a coroner's referral of the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press