Easington nurse still unconscious after assault
May 16 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal
Miss Turnbull, who has never married, has been a loyal member of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade Easington Division for almost three decades. Unit leader Mary Bell said: “She joined as a cadet aged either 11 or 12 and has been with us ever since. I saw her on Wednesday night, she was helping some of the youngsters prepare for their tests for their badges.
“She is very good with children, she dotes on her two nieces and brought her youngest, Danielle, along to meetings.
“Audrey is very quiet and unassuming, but she is a willing helper. She is always quick to volunteer if anyone needs help.
“It defies logic how somebody so quiet, so shy and retiring as Audrey can fall victim to such a callous attack. She would never do anything to harm anyone, she lived her life to help others.”
Miss Turnbull is also devoted to her nice Emma.
Five years ago a High Court judge approved a £3.5m settlement to help her family provide the round-the-clock care Emma needs after health bosses at Sunderland Hospital admitted they had blundered by starving her of oxygen at birth, and that her cerebral palsy condition could have been prevented had she been induced 90 minutes earlier.
A spokeswoman said: “The team at The Hawthorns care home are devastated by this news. Audrey has been a wonderful carer here for the past six years; both residents and the team are very fond of her. Our thoughts are with her and her family at this very difficult time.”
Police officers had gone to Miss Turnbull’s terraced home shortly after arresting a man on suspicion of stealing a Renault Clio car, at 2,30am on Thursday.
They had been alerted by neighbours Amy and Daniel Talbot who had been disturbed by a noise and confronted a youth outside Miss Turnbulls home.
Miss Turnbull was taken to hospital where X-rays and scans were carried out. She was transferred to Newcastle yesterday.
Det Sgt Cliff Down said the alarm was raised at around 2.30am by neighbours in the street who spotted a man acting suspiciously and allegely tampering with vehicles. Police arrived to see a man driving off in a Renault Clio. That vehicle was abandoned in a nearby street; police later spotted a man close by and he was arrested.
Detectives have renewed their appeal for anyone who may have heard a disturbance or saw someone acting suspiciously in Easington Street and the nearby Paradise Street, Noble Street and Oswald Terrace between 1.30am and 2.30am on Thursday.
Det Sgt Down said he was also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen or picked up a blue hooded top which could have been discarded in the Easington Colliery area.
Anyone who can help is asked to ring police on 0345 606-0365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
:: Last night police said a local man, 18, had been charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated taking vehicle without consent (TWOC), two counts of assaulting police and various driving offences. He is due to go before north Durham magistrates at Peterlee today.
