Family seeks answers over dead Zimbabwean man

Family seeks answers over dead Zimbabwean man

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By Staff Reporter

MICHAEL Madondo walked away from a car crash with what seemed like minor bumps and bruises.

As a precaution he was taken to hospital for a check up where he gave staff his name and contact numbers for his relatives.

But just minutes later he suddenly lost consciousness and died. And now his devastated family desperately want to know what happened.

They are puzzled as to how the seemingly healthy 20-year-old lost his life after a minor accident.

His aunt, Ntombiyelanga Mgutshini, who was at the hospital on the night of the tragedy said she was told by a nurse: "Don't worry, it's not life threatening at all, he will be okay."

The next message was that he was dead.

Michael had suffered facial injuries when his car crashed into a parked lorry in Gielgud Way at the Cross Point Business Park in Walsgrave on December 8.

After the crash he was given first aid and an ambulance was called.

He walked out of the ambulance at Walsgrave Hospital, and spoke to staff before receiving treatment.

His 39-year-old aunt, who is a care worker, was waiting for him and was relieved to hear he was OK.

But suddenly that all changed when the nurse returned from the treatment room.

She said: "When she came back she came with one of the doctors. It didn't even take about 10 minutes, and they told me that he had died."

She was told that he had to be given oxygen but it was difficult because of his facial injury and a tube had to be inserted.

Michael's uncle, Tony Mgutshini, said the family was devastated.

Mgutshini, aged 40, who is also a care worker, said: "He was like a diamond of the family. Everyone loved Michael. His sense of humour - I could switch off the radio and listen to Michael telling his stories."

Michael came from Zimbabwe to live with his aunt and uncle in 2003 and was a security guard in Walsgrave.

His brother, Cyril, a 28-year-old chef, lives in Willenhall and his mother, Diana, who is 46, lives in Derby. Michael's father, who is also called Michael, lives in Zimbabwe.

A post mortem examination failed to discover whether Michael died as a result of the car crash or his treatment at hospital.

A second independent post mortem test was carried out in Leicester and a report is being prepared for the coroner. An inquest will be held in the new year.

Martin Lee, the medical director of the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital Trust, said: "First and foremost we express our sincere condolences to the family at this time. We are fully assisting the coroner with his inquiry." - ic Derby
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