Prof helps family’s bid for justice

May 8 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal

One of the North’s most eminent scientists has joined forces with the family of a man killed through the negligence of Greek medics.

Later this week Professor John Burn, Head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University, will attempt to persuade the Greek authorities that there is no need to exhume the body of Christopher Rochester to prove that a kidney they claimed to be his did in fact belong to someone else.

County Durham-born Prof Burn has agreed to assist Christopher’s mother Pam and stepfather George Cummings, who claim the "wrong" kidney was sent to Britain by the Greeks after their son died.

Christopher, 24, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was injured when he fell 40ft from a balcony on Rhodes in June, 2000.

He died in agony from internal bleeding after he was left on a hospital trolley in Faliraki.

Stergios Pavlidis, one of three doctors accused of his manslaughter by negligence, was found guilty in February, following a seven-and-a half year campaign by Mr and Mrs Cummings, of Auckland, Chester-le-Street, their family, friends, and North Durham MP Kevan Jones.

Christopher’s body was missing a kidney when it was returned to the UK soon after his death. An organ was sent out from Greece three months later, but tests failed to produce a genetic match.

The family believe the kidney may have been removed to conceal the cause of death and are trying to prove their case.

Greek authorities initially said they would accept the results of an independent DNA test for the purposes of their investigation, but later demanded samples be taken from Christopher’s body.

Mr Cummings, 48, said: "We have samples of his clothes, his hairbrush, his jewellery, even his single denture.

"The doctors did not set out to kill him. But what happened afterwards may well have constituted a criminal act. We believe his kidney was deliberately removed as part of a cover-up. It is even possible somebody made money out of him by selling his kidney for a transplant organ."

Durham Police also say the material is suitable for DNA sampling.

On Friday an aide to the Greek ambassador in Britain will travel from London to Durham to meet Prof Burn, pathologist Paul Barratt, of the University Hospital of North Durham who carried out the postmortem examination, Det Insp Steve Murray of Durham Police, and Mr Jones.

Mr Cummings said: "We hope expert opinion will persuade the Greeks that suitable samples of our son’s DNA are available without having to disturb his grave. But if we have to have it exhumed to establish the truth then so be it.

For previous stories about the Christopher Rochester case, click the links below

Death fall doctors to face retrial

Seeking justice over son's death

Minister takes up kidney case

Mother appeals to court over son's death