|
Payout For Diabetic Man After Wrongful Taser Incident |
|
Written by Tom Doerr
|
|
Friday, 26 March 2010 07:50 |
|
Nicholas Gaubert was dressed smartly as he travelled on a Leeds bus when he began to fall into a hypoglycaemic coma. His fellow passengers remained unaware whilst his special diabetic tag around his neck was out of sight. He was heading for a drink in the suburb of Headingley but instead ended up unconscious on the top deck of a commuter bus. Upon arriving back at the depot, the driver, who was used to throwing drunks off the bus at night, checked the top deck. Had it been a Friday night he may have gone through the usual routine but it was Wednesday afternoon and Gaubert was wearing a backpack.
by TomDoerr
Nicholas Gaubert was dressed smartly as he travelled on a Leeds bus when he began to fall into a hypoglycaemic coma. His fellow passengers remained unaware whilst his special diabetic tag around his neck was out of sight. He was heading for a drink in the suburb of Headingley but instead ended up unconscious on the top deck of a commuter bus. Upon arriving back at the depot, the driver, who was used to throwing drunks off the bus at night, checked the top deck. Had it been a Friday night he may have gone through the usual routine but it was Wednesday afternoon and Gaubert was wearing a backpack.
Although the situation might not have usually caused concern, the incident happened just six days after the London terrorist bombings and suspicion, especially on public transport, was prevalent. the driver kept his distance and attempted to wake him up, he had no response so left the bus to inform his superiors who cleared the depot and informed the police. The nearby ASDA supermarket was also evacuated and eight firearms officers were sent.
Gaubert did not have the textbook image of a terrorist and the bus was empty but the country was taking no chances, he was sweating profusely but was not responding to their orders. Apparently officers reportedly thought he was awake but would not show his hands so, with no hesitation, an officer reached for his 50,000 volt electric taser and with one final warning, pulled the trigger. It was the first time a West Yorkshire officer had deployed the non-lethal weapon and the second came when he still failed to respond to orders.
When the officers deemed it safe to approach him, they cuffed him and placed him in the back of a police van. On the way to the station he regained consciousness and managed to indicate he needed urgent medical attention. He was rushed to Leeds general infirmary where he received urgent medical attention.
After a stay in hospital, Gaubert recovered and launched a civil case against the West Yorkshire police which resulted in an out of court settlement in the hundreds of thousands and a formal apology. This was the first case of its kind in the UK but predictably not the last as the controversial use of the taser has caused many deaths and injuries in the US.
|
