British High Commission confirms death of deputy high commissioner

THE British High Commission, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of a Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Peter Leslie Carter, who died on Tuesday.

Mr Carter had slumped on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard a United Airlines Flight UA143 at 3.50 p.m.

A letter signed by Drs E.E Ukatu and Abdullahi, of the Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health and made available to newsmen confirmed that the envoy died of severe asthma attack.

“The Port Health Services was called on Tuesday by a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) medical nurse at about 4.07 p.m. from the D arrival screening point to see a passenger (the deceased), said to have arrived aboard a United Airlines flight from Houston, Texas.

“It was reported that after disembarking, the passenger was observed to be clutching his chest and asking for help.

“In the course of examination, he was asked if he was asthmatic, and he said ‘maybe’.

“On examination, he was found to be pale and in respiratory distress (gasping for breath), his pulse was rapid and thready. Based on his response to the question if he was asthmatic, a Ventolin inhaler was administered, but was not effective, as the patient was restless and threw the inhaler to the floor. He was placed on the left lateral position and at the same time, oxygen was called for.

“Efforts were made to administer oxygen, while a second doctor was called and suction applied via a suction machine to clear the airway.

“Subsequently, the patient suffered a cardio-pulmonary arrest; the radial and carotid pulses were no longer palpable and patient was observed to be cyanosed. Attempts at resuscitation proved abortive. Pupils were fixed and dilated and patient was certified dead at 4.26 p.m,” the letter read.

Confirming the envoy’s death, Head of Press and Public Affairs at the British High Commission, in Abuja, Rob Fitzpatrick, described the death as saddening.

“Mr Carter had previously served as Consul-General in Milan and then as the British Ambassador to Estonia before becoming Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, in 2013, where he made an exceptional contribution to the UK’s relationship with Nigeria.

“He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues,” Mr Fitzpatrick stated.