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Navy criticised over sailor death Navy criticised over sailor death
(20 minutes later)
The Royal Navy has been criticised over the death of a female officer who was found semi-naked and left on the floor of a ship's cabin.The Royal Navy has been criticised over the death of a female officer who was found semi-naked and left on the floor of a ship's cabin.
Lt Emma Douglas, 29, of Aberdeenshire, was found dead on HMS Cornwall at the Devonport base in Plymouth in 2004.Lt Emma Douglas, 29, of Aberdeenshire, was found dead on HMS Cornwall at the Devonport base in Plymouth in 2004.
She died from diabetic ketoacidosis, although diabetes was not diagnosed before her death, an inquest heard.She died from diabetic ketoacidosis, although diabetes was not diagnosed before her death, an inquest heard.
A medical consultation she had before dying and the actions of a shipmate who closed her cabin door were criticised.A medical consultation she had before dying and the actions of a shipmate who closed her cabin door were criticised.
Lt Douglas, a deputy marine engineering officer from Huntly, was found dead onboard the frigate on 3 October 2004, hours after being seen lying on her cabin floor, the inquest in Plymouth heard.Lt Douglas, a deputy marine engineering officer from Huntly, was found dead onboard the frigate on 3 October 2004, hours after being seen lying on her cabin floor, the inquest in Plymouth heard.
Assumed drunk Communication breakdown
In a narrative verdict aimed at answering a number of questions from the coroner, the jury criticised a medical consultation four days before Lt Douglas's death at which her diabetes was not diagnosed.In a narrative verdict aimed at answering a number of questions from the coroner, the jury criticised a medical consultation four days before Lt Douglas's death at which her diabetes was not diagnosed.
She had been seen by Surgeon Commander Marcus Evershed at the shore base HMS Drake Medical Centre in Plymouth. He diagnosed oral thrush and offered her sick bay rest, which she declined.She had been seen by Surgeon Commander Marcus Evershed at the shore base HMS Drake Medical Centre in Plymouth. He diagnosed oral thrush and offered her sick bay rest, which she declined.
The officer, who had never seen Lt Douglas before, said she had complained of vomiting after meals, lethargy and a sore mouth.The officer, who had never seen Lt Douglas before, said she had complained of vomiting after meals, lethargy and a sore mouth.
He told the inquest that diabetes was in the back of his mind but it was "very much suppressed" because of her answers about urine and drinking.He told the inquest that diabetes was in the back of his mind but it was "very much suppressed" because of her answers about urine and drinking.
Lt Douglas was a deputy marine engineering officer on HMS CornwallThe inquest jury ruled that there was insufficient communication between the two.Lt Douglas was a deputy marine engineering officer on HMS CornwallThe inquest jury ruled that there was insufficient communication between the two.
The jury said Lt Douglas did not divulge enough information about her health and Commander Evershed did not ask specific questions to elicit information.The jury said Lt Douglas did not divulge enough information about her health and Commander Evershed did not ask specific questions to elicit information.
The actions of a shipmate was also addressed by the 10-strong jury. They criticised the crew member who closed her cabin door after she was first seen on the floor.The actions of a shipmate was also addressed by the 10-strong jury. They criticised the crew member who closed her cabin door after she was first seen on the floor.
The panel said that if correct procedures had been followed, it would have been established if she was asleep or whether alcohol or illness were factors.The panel said that if correct procedures had been followed, it would have been established if she was asleep or whether alcohol or illness were factors.
Coroner Ian Arrow said that he would be writing to the General Medical Council, Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence about the jury's findings.Coroner Ian Arrow said that he would be writing to the General Medical Council, Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence about the jury's findings.
Lt Douglas's mother, Cynthia Douglas, said her daughter was "badly let down by her naval colleagues".Lt Douglas's mother, Cynthia Douglas, said her daughter was "badly let down by her naval colleagues".
'Extremely disappointing''Extremely disappointing'
She said that despite a criminal investigation and a navy board of inquiry no-one has accepted any responsibility or been held in any way accountable for her daughter's death.She said that despite a criminal investigation and a navy board of inquiry no-one has accepted any responsibility or been held in any way accountable for her daughter's death.
Mrs Douglas said: "This is something which our family have found extremely disappointing".Mrs Douglas said: "This is something which our family have found extremely disappointing".
Captain Charlie King, from Devonport naval base, said the service deeply regretted the "tragic death".Captain Charlie King, from Devonport naval base, said the service deeply regretted the "tragic death".
An internal board of inquiry found a misunderstanding among some members of the ship's company that, in some circumstances, an individual's privacy could be more important than taking steps to ensure their personal safety, she said.An internal board of inquiry found a misunderstanding among some members of the ship's company that, in some circumstances, an individual's privacy could be more important than taking steps to ensure their personal safety, she said.
She said commanding officers had been reminded that, while safety of their ship or base was the main priority for personnel, the well-being of the entire company was a vital component of that wider responsibility.She said commanding officers had been reminded that, while safety of their ship or base was the main priority for personnel, the well-being of the entire company was a vital component of that wider responsibility.