Legionnaires’ victims still waiting for answers

Legionnaires’ victims are pleading for “an end to secrecy” almost two years after a lethal outbreak of the killer bug.

They are furious over the repeated refusal to release or act on findings into the tragedy.

Four people died and 45 others were hospitalised by the killer bacterium which struck Edinburgh in May 2012.

Six cooling towers were tested at the time but no findings have ever been released by the Health and Safety Executive or the Crown Office despite protests by families.

Now law firm Irwin Mitchell which is fighting for compensation for 35 families says it is gathering evidence to raise Court of Session proceedings to force the HSE’s findings to be made public.

Partner Elaine Russell said: “The source of a similar outbreak in Stoke-on-Trent two months later was made public within a month. It is wrong that almost two years on our clients do not know where the outbreak came from.

“How long do they have to wait for evidence to proceed with their cases? The families of the dead need answers as do those who became seriously ill.

“Some clients were so damaged that they were struggling to return to work months later. Being ill or losing a loved one is hugely expensive and some clients struggled to stay solvent.”

The HSE passed on a report for consideration by the Procurator Fiscal last month. It is being examined by a new specialist branch of the Crown Office which deals with health and safety issues.

The law firm has also called for a public investigation into the number of outbreaks in the UK, citing victims in Renfrew, Edinburgh, Durham, Stoke-on-Trent and Cardiff in the past three years.

“Serious questions have to be asked about why unsuspecting members of the public can contract this while going about their everyday business,” Elaine Russell said.

Council parks worker Gavin Thomson claims he almost died after breathing in the deadly vapour during the Edinburgh outbreak.

“I was so ill I ended up in intensive care,” he said. “I really thought it was the end. Doctors told my family to prepare for the worst.

He added: “It’s time officials put an end to secrecy.”

Gavin, 58, of Sighthill, Edinburgh, spent three weeks in hospital and was off work for four months. His GP told him he was lucky to survive.

“I now know what it feels like to be close to death and it’s terrifying,” he said.

An HSE spokeswoman said: “We can confirm we have submitted reports to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and there are others in the process of being sent. HSE’s investigation continues.”

A spokesman for the COPFS said: “There is a live investigation and the HSE are in the process of submitting a number of reports to the COPFS.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further.”