Danbury dentist's widow suing the NHS for £300,000

Dr Michael Daly, 77, died in hospital after suffering critical neck and head injuries when he was struck by an ambulance's wing mirror on a pelican crossing.

Dr Daly is believed to be the first person killed by an ambulance in the UK after his life support machine was turned off 17 weeks after the accident in February 2016.

His widow Roseline Daly, 77, is suing the East of England Ambulance Service for her emotional loss, financial dependency on him, and psychiatric injuries.

Ms Daly made the civil claim for compensation after a jury trial found the ambulance driver Faye Parson, 41, not guilty of death by careless driving.

A writ issued at London High Court states that his Mrs Daly is seeking more than £300,000 in compensation.

Jenny Kennedy, her lawyer, states in the writ that she is claiming for "financial dependency" on Dr Daly and the "loss of his services as a loving husband."

She is also claiming for her own psychiatric injuries, the writ states she "has suffered with an adjustment disorder" due to her husband's death and "is also suffering post-traumatic symptoms."

The NHS trust's defence to the claim was not available from the court and the contents from the writ are yet to be tested before a judge.

Dr Daly suffered severe brain injuries after he was hit by the Mercedes Sprinter Ambulance outside his village's library on February 4.

He was rushed to St George's Hospital in London by air ambulance but died 17 weeks later on June 3 after he contracted the MRSA bug and suffered a cardiac arrest.

Faye Parson, of Braintree, Essex, denied causing death by careless driving saying the elderly dentist had stepped out from behind a van.

The mum-of-two was acquitted by a jury after 48 minutes of deliberation in July 2017.

His family has previously blasted the NHS for refusing to pay their £10,000 travel costs visiting him during his 121-day stay in the London hospital.

Despite often having to catch multiple buses, trains and tubes, Dr Daly's widow Roseline, 77, would make the five-hour round trip every day without fail.

His daughter Alexandra Daly, 45, and son Adam Daly, 42, also had to scale back their jobs in financial services and the care industry to support their dying father.

Miss Daly said: "We are saddened and confused as to why we have received no financial support from the ambulance service during this harrowing time.

"The loss of our father's life through such horrific, tragic and unnecessary circumstances has been devastating to endure for our family and friends.

"We have repeatedly asked the ambulance service for help but they do not appear to be listening."

The East of England Ambulance Service declined to comment on the civil case.